Black eye from allergic reaction to nail polish - For Allergy Sleuths

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Black eye from allergic reaction to nail polish?

That's exactly what happened to Burdine after she popped into her

local _nail salon_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2010/05/28/uv-dryers-at-nail-salons-may-cause-aging-sk\

in-cancer/) for her weekly _manicure_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/08/09/nikki-reed-fiance-nail-art/) .

" The next morning my boyfriend looked at me and said 'You look like you

got punched in the face, " says the 25-year-old marketing exec in New York

City, who speed dialed her _dermatologist_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/06/22/smog-city-age-skin/) . " The skin around my

eyes was reddish-black, and

also dry, irritated and itchy. "

The diagnosis: an _allergic_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2010/02/04/avoid-cosmetic-allergies/) shiner. This

not-so-common allergic reaction occurs when

blood around the eyes is unable to drain so it stays put and causes the

appearance of a bar-fight-style black eye.

Usually it's from an out-of-control pollen count that causes sinuses to

swell, not from getting your _nails_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/07/29/the-nail-files-tribal-manicure-at-sakura-na\

il-and-spa/) done. " The doctor

asked me what new products I was using-cleanser, eye cream, makeup,

detergent-and I couldn't think of anything in my routine that I'd changed, "

Burdine

says. " But the possibilities seemed endless because he also explained that I

could not be allergic to something and then develop an allergy overnight. "

After discussing a laundry list of suspects, Burdine's doctor glanced at

her freshly _painted nails _

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/08/08/shades-of-gray-wet-paint-nail-glaze-mix/)

and noted that he has a lot of women come

in because of allergic reactions to _polish_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/07/21/diy-jil-sander-inspired-nail-art/) , which

are laced with potentially

toxic chemicals including formaldehyde.

MORE: _6 signs of a sketchy nail salon_

(http://www.youbeauty.com/body-fitness/six-signs-of-a-sketchy-nail-salon)

And since Burdine wears contacts and is often touching her eyes, the

polish could be the culprit. " That's when I realized that although I've always

gone to the same salon and use the same brand of _polish_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/07/21/diy-jil-sander-inspired-nail-art/) , that

time I grabbed

one from a company I've never used before, " she says. Her doctor told her

to take the polish off asap and apply Desonide, a prescription steroid

cream, around her eyes to reduce the swelling in that area. " In two days I was

back to normal, " she says.

According to Liou, cofounder of the _California Healthy Nail Salon

Collaborative_ (http://www.cahealthynailsalons.org/) , a public-advocacy

group for salon safety, isn't alone. The fight for safe nail practices

and products for both technicians and customers is crucial because of a slew

of health hazards -- sure, a freaky black eye is one, but extreme medical

conditions such as reproductive issues and cancer may also be real concerns.

Although the dangers of many chemicals used in nail products (including

remover, base and top coat as well as polish) are proven and many brands are

going 3 and 4-free, experts say there's still good reason to think twice

before test-driving a neon pink _half-moon manicure_

(http://www.stylelist.com/2011/02/11/tuxedo-moon-manicure-ruffian-fall-2011-fash\

ion-week/) .

MORE: _3-free and 4-free nail polish, explained_

(http://www.youbeauty.com/body-fitness/non-toxic-nail-polish-guide)

" Companies are saying they're taking the harmful chemicals

out-formaldehyde, toluene and DBP-but no one is regulating whether or not it's

true, " says

Liou, who estimates about 40 percent of polish on the market are 3-free,

while the other 60 either aren't or have varying levels of toxic ingredients.

It's this nail industry " he-said, she-said " along with the fact that

cosmetic companies aren't required to get the green light on safety from the

FDA, and most nail brands don't list ingredients on their bottles like say,

shampoo, that has many organizations pushing for the Safe Cosmetics Act.

This bill would demand pre-market safety assessments of all personal care

products-not just nail polish. (As of right now, the Safe Cosmetics Act is

expected to pass early next year.)

MORE: _The Safe Cosmetics Act and what it means for your makeup bag_

(http://www.youbeauty.com/face/are-you-using-toxic-cosmetics)

According to Cora Roelofs, an occupational health researcher at the

University of Massachusetts Lowell, who has studied the long-term effects nail

chemicals and fumes have on salon workers, many report rashes on their cheeks

and hands-possibly as a result of sensitization (like getting an allergy)

to acrylic compounds such as ethyl methacrylate, the main ingredient in

artificial nail liquid-but all solvents such as isopropyl alcohol as well as

acetone can cause rashes just by taking the natural protective oils out of

skin. She also adds that nail technicians experience an abundance of

respiratory problems including coughing, nose, throat and lung irritation,

asthma

and wheezing.

Could second-hand nail service fumes be the new second-hand smoke?

Clearly, the salon workers exposed to hazardous chemicals and fumes 10 hours a

day

are at the most risk, but a weekly half-hour polish pit-stop can add up.

" A salon might be using 3 and 4-free brands, but there are still so many

different kinds of solvents in formulas as well as a lack of fresh air and a

lot of dust, " says Roelofs.

According to the experts interviewed, Burdine's black eye is definitely

not the norm, however, doctors agree that allergic reactions from nail

products and services are not only possible, they're common. " Typically, people

are most allergic to chemicals in acrylic nails-from the polymers in the

nails themselves to the gel and glue-which might be laced with poisonous

methyl methacrylate liquid monomers (MMA), but also formaldehyde in nail

hardeners and polish as well as fumes from acetone, " says D'Anne Kleinsmith,

M.D.,

a dermatologist in West Bloomfield, Michigan. " These chemicals might cause

contact dermatitis-the skin right around or underneath the nail can get

red, itchy or scaly. "

MORE: _The best non-toxic nail polishes_

(http://www.youbeauty.com/body-fitness/galleries/non-toxic-nail-polish)

But eyes are also at risk. " The eyes are a sensitive, exposed organ, " says

Elise Brisco, M.D., an optometrist in Los Angeles and founder of the

Rehabilitative Vision Clinic at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. " Bacteria,

viruses, allergies, pollen and chemicals all stick to the wet, mucous-y surface

which is very absorbent-and what's scary is that the eye is essentially an

extension of the brain. " Brisco suggests that if you have any pain in or

around your eyes, blurred vision, stinging, swelling or redness for more

than a few hours after leaving a nail salon, to see your doctor.

Now, take a deep (fume-free) breath: Experts insist that you don't have to

ditch your weekly mani and succumb to hiding your bare, chipped nails in

shame: " Common sense and precaution says that if it's not necessary to be

exposed to toxic chemicals (and it's hard to imagine when it is necessary)

then these chemicals should not be in products at all, " says Roelofs. " But in

the mean time, choose a well-ventilated salon if you're concerned. "

QUIZ: _How healthy does your skin look?_

(http://www.youbeauty.com/quizzes/healthy-skin)

Also, be aware of what products the salon you're frequenting is using.

" I've seen a tremendous change in the nail industry, " says Jin Soon Choi, a

manicurist for 20 years and owner of _Jin Soon Nail Salon_

(http://www.jinsoon.com/) in New York City. " The old style strong-fumed

acrylic is almost

gone, non-acetone nail polish remover is ubiquitous and there are amazing 3

and 4-free polishes. "

And of course ladies, (you gotta) fight for your right (to a healthy

manicure). Take action at _safecosmetics.org_ (http://safecosmetics.org/) .

By: Genevieve

Jan Patenaude, RD, CLT

Director of Medical Nutrition

Signet Diagnostic Corp.

Telecommuting Nationwide

(Mountain Time)

Fax:

DineRight4@...

Certified LEAP Therapist and specialist in food sensitivity for IBS,

migraine, fibromyalgia and multiple inflammatory conditions. Co-author of the

Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) Training Course.