Masters of manicure do not cease to amaze their customers with novelties. These include new technologies, and more modern and sophisticated materials. Today we will talk about one of these novelties - gel-lacquer, or rather, about its effect on the woman's body. Many ladies find it an excellent solution for the continued preservation of the attractive look of their nails. This and their brightness, and resistance to household chemicals. But is it safe? Could there be an allergy to gel-lacquer? The answer to the questions we will try to give you in this article.

Allergy to gel-varnishes: symptoms, treatment, drugs

Why does an allergy occur?

Have you ever wondered why exactly this nail covering keeps on the nails for so long? This is due to the fact that this type of manicure involves the use of several means. Previously, the nail plates are prepared by removing the top layer of the nail file, degreasing and applying a basic base. Only after this, the main coating, which gives them dullness or gloss, follows.

Another mandatory condition for this type of manicure is drying nails under a UV lamp to create a perfectly flat surface. Drying quickly fixes all layers of this complex coating.

Strong allergens

Undoubtedly, all the means used have chemical components, so an allergic reaction can be triggered:

  • toluene, which is part of the solvents;
  • methacrylate isobornyl;
  • formaldehyde (derivatives);
  • rosin (basis for color coating).

Most of these components are part of all the coatings of this group, so the allergy to gel varnishes can appear on the products of any company. Even on the one that is positioned as hypoallergenic. It does not protect against allergic reactions.

Moreover, besides the coating itself, unpleasant symptoms can cause ultraviolet irradiation. Therefore, if earlier you noticed unusual reactions to it (for example, an allergy in the sun), then allergic rashes are possible, and after using this innovation.

Many dermatologists believe that in certain cases they arise because of the sticky layer that is applied over the coating. In case of poor manicure, a small amount of this substance gets on the skin and causes irritation.

To the causes of the appearance of the disease should be attributed and not in accordance with the instructions storage of cosmetic products. Direct sunlight, freezing and other violations of storage conditions, lead to a change in the chemical formula of lacquer, so the body's reaction to the new composition is difficult to predict.

When do the first symptoms appear?

It is necessary to know that allergy to gel-varnish rarely appears after the first use. Usually the first irritation of a woman is noticed after several months of constant application of this coating. And often even timely and successfully conducted treatment does not always help them to avoid irritation after application of gel-varnish in the future.

Types of allergic reactions

Since during the manicure conducted by this technique, not only the nail plate but also the skin surrounding it is exposed to the chemical components, it is quite natural that it is at this place that the allergy to gel-lacquer develops. Symptoms of the disease can be different, but always pronounced and causing discomfort.

In this case, the allergic reaction is called contact - it never spreads to other parts of the body, but it significantly worsens the person's well-being. This type of pathology appears specifically among clients who are given a manicure using this technique.

Types of allergic reactions may be different. There are cases when they appear in the salon masters in the form of respiratory disorders. They are provoked by the smells of the means used during work. There is an allergy to gel-lacquer congestion of the nose, edema of the eyes, lacrimation, sneezing. And the more often a master faces working with this coating, the faster his state of health worsens.

Symptoms of an allergy

Many readers who have never come across this insidious disease are interested in what the allergy looks like after gel-lacquer. You can answer briefly - extremely unattractive, and at times even frightening.

In fact, to understand that you develop this disease, simple, characteristic and vivid symptoms will not allow you to doubt that irritation is caused by contact with this cosmetic. Nevertheless, in order not to speculate on what an allergy looks like, and whether it is, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist, since in the initial stage the lesion of the nail plate can be caused by a fungal infection. Therefore, the faster you go to the doctor, the sooner your health and beauty will return to your hands.

And now, we will acquaint you with the main signs of pathology, which should be noted:

  • allergic rashes;
  • unbearable itching;
  • edema and reddening of the peri-oral groove and pads of fingers.

Rashes sometimes are small pimples, but more often they are bubbles filled with liquid. Strong itching leads to their combing, the skin bursts, and under it erosive erosion is formed. At this stage, the risk of secondary infection increases significantly, which complicates the course of the disease.

During treatment, small cracks appear on the tips of the fingers, which heal for a long time. In especially severe cases, detachment of the nail develops. Such changes are provoked by the fact that when applying gel-varnish the upper layer of the nail plate is removed, and the chemicals easily penetrate into its deeper layers.

Psycho-emotional stress, weakening of immunity, sometimes provoke not only the defeat of the fingers, but also an allergic reaction to the wrists and palms. In this case, there are blisters that resemble hives. After healing, they can leave dark spots.

These signs are also characteristic of fungal infections, and therefore recommend that you undergo laboratory diagnostics. The thing is that nail fungus and allergies require the use of different groups of medicines. Methacrylate, which is part of almost all gel-varnishes, can cause both Quincke's edema and choking.

Allergy to gel-lacquer: what to do?

The appearance of the first symptoms of irritation on the hands is a good reason for visiting a dermatologist. If the disease affects only the skin, you should contact the salon to remove the coating from the nails in order to avoid contact with the allergen. Symptoms of Quincke's edema require urgent medical attention. It is expressed in intravenous or intramuscular injection of anti-shock and antihistamines. Such drugs stop the release of histamine and do not allow allergies to develop.

After removing the gel-nail polish from the nails, you need to contact a specialist to find out the cause of the changes. Based on the analysis, the dermatologist will select the necessary treatment. If it is confirmed that itching, irritation, rash is an allergy to gel-lacquer, than to treat this disease, only the doctor will decide.


Antihistamines can be given as ointments or tablets. If you are sure of your diagnosis, then before going to the doctor you can take the drugs "Tavegil", "Diazolin" or "Suprastin". They are quicker than others to stop skin symptoms. However, they are not used for a long time because of side effects.

It is better to use drugs containing corticosteroids. They will quickly remove allergy symptoms. These include ointments - "Hydrocortisone", "Advantan", "Afloderm". If the allergy to gel-lacquer is not very strong, then you can use "Fenistil-gel", but if a secondary infection is attached to the disease, then you will need funds - "Levosin" or "Levomikol".

Ointment "Gyoksizon" in its composition has an antibiotic and glucocorticoid. And during the healing of the skin should be used ointments that have regenerating properties - "Radevit", "Panthenol", "Solcoseryl".


In complex therapy, allergies include a group of drugs to help the body remove accumulated toxins from the intestine and internal organs. But they not only relieve the slag, but also improve the microflora of the intestines, increase immunity. This is important in the treatment of allergic reactions. Such drugs include: "Lacto-filter", "Enteros-gel", "Polysorb".

To completely restore the skin and nail plates, vitamins are needed, which you will be prescribed by a doctor. Their choice depends on the type of rashes on the skin, the presence of chronic diseases in the patient from the time of the course of the disease. Take into account all these subtleties can only an experienced and qualified specialist.


Many people believe that people's methods of treatment can defeat this disease. But we believe that they can only be part of complex therapy. It can be a decoction of the motherwort or the roots of valerian at night.

Relieve the torment of the bath and lotions for hands using decoction of marigold, oak bark, chamomile. These plants are famous for their anti-inflammatory properties, they soothe, help the skin cover to recover faster.

In the treatment of allergies, broth of string, egg shell and mummy have proved to be well established. Such remedies should be remembered for girls who have allergies periodically.

Precautionary measures

When the disease has entered the acute phase, it is necessary to limit contact with water. After applying ointments, when doing any homework, hands should be protected with rubber gloves. In addition, during treatment it is necessary to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet. From the diet is completely excluded from alcohol, citrus, chocolate. This has a beneficial effect on skin regeneration.

How to avoid allergies?

The described reactions to the resistant coating often appear even in women who have never experienced other manifestations of an allergy before. This only indicates that no one is immune from this kind of irritation. However, you can reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Cosmetologists advise

In order that the next trip to the beauty salon did not have any sad consequences, we recommend that you listen to the opinion of specialists.

  1. Use only high-quality compounds. Varnishes produced in China are cheaper, but it is this product that has the most complaints from customers.
  2. Carefully choose the salon and the master. A significant role in the development of allergies is played by the technique of performing manicure. It is very important that the adjacent skin is not injured when handling the nail. The professional master will try not to allow any of the used means to get on the okolonogtevoj roller or fingers.
  3. Minimizes the development of the allergy selection of protective coating, which is applied to the skin before the procedure. With the right choice, allergies to gel-varnishes and ultraviolet light are less common.
  4. Women with dry hands should prepare them before the procedure. For this, several softening creams are applied to the hands for several days.
  5. It is necessary for a few weeks to give the nails rest by replacing the gel-varnish with a regular coating. Such a simple technique will help to remove chemical elements from the nail, skin and body cells as a whole.

It is not recommended to use this covering for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Alternative options

Many people say, and we already said this, that even after a successful treatment with the subsequent use of gel-lacquer, the allergy again makes itself felt. And sometimes the reaction is even stronger.

To prevent this, you will either completely abandon such a manicure, or use high-quality, expensive products with the lowest content of toxic components. For example, Cind Vinyiux. This is the usual coating, but it keeps on the nails for about seven days.

Cnd Shellac is a gel-lacquer that does not cause allergies. Acquire such a varnish (to avoid forgery), it is better to have an authorized dealer. Another gel-lacquer is Red Carpet. It is characterized by its ease of application. This allergy is extremely rare. Therefore, we recommend that you use it.