QuestionI read a prior question & answer regarding the allergic reaction to Gel nails. I've been getting them for past 2 months and have encountered the same reaction. My shop does use clean products/ clean towels etc but I get the bad itchiness, swelling, redness & eventually peeling skin shortly after. Is there any hand lotions that would help reduce the symptons seeming as this obviously is going to happen everytime I get them done??
AnswerMy advice would be to find a product that DOESN'T result in an adverse reaction. If you are developing a chemical sensitivity the symptoms will only worsen with continued exposure. If you find a less sensitizing product now, there's a good chance that you will be able to wear nails for a very long time. If you continue to expose yourself to a substance that is causing a reaction, there's a good chance that your body will stage a full out revolt and you could end up allergic to the entire acrylate family of products!
However, if you choose to continue with the product that is giving you grief now, you can try hydrocortisone, or diphenhydramine cream, or soaking your fingers in water mixed with baking soda until the itching subsides.
You might want to discuss the reaction with a doctor, to see if you could be in danger of developing a severe allergic reaction with repeated use of the product. I have one client who is so allergic to acrylates that she has to have Kenalog shots on a regular basis just to continue her career as a nurse-- which exposes her to a variety of substances that are in the same family as most nail products.
Remember, nail products are plastics. If you become very allergic to nail products, it could mean becoming allergic to many other things in your daily life as well.
