Acrylates in artificial nails-Results of product analyses and glove penetration studies

Contact Allergy to Methacrylate Containing Nail Products: Lack of Impact of EU Legislation. An Audit on Behalf of the European Environmental Contact Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG)

BACKGROUND

There is a current fashion for the use of methacrylate-containing nail cosmetics that can induce allergic contact dermatitis. European Union (EU) legislation was introduced in 2021 that had the aim of preventing its development.

OBJECTIVES

To assess prevalence and exposures causing contact allergy to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) prior to and following implementation of the legislation.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was conducted by 7 European centres patch testing to HEMA prior to the legislation and for 2 years afterwards.

RESULTS

A total of 26 297 patients were tested to HEMA in the baseline series between 2016 and 2023. The prevalence of contact allergy to HEMA from all sources amongst females was 2.82% compared to 0.34% amongst males. The prevalence of nail related contact allergy rose from 0.91% in 2016 (2 centres) to: 0.99% in 2017 (3 centres); 1.24% in 2018 (5 centres); 1.23% in 2019 (6 centres); 1.36% in 2020 (7 centres); 1.30% in 2021 (7 centres); 1.52% in 2022 (7 centres) and 1.98% in 2023 (7 centres). Contact allergy to HEMA from exposure to nail cosmetics accounted for 3.4% of all occupational skin disease.

CONCLUSIONS

EU legislation appears not to have had the intended impact on controlling allergic contact dermatitis from methacrylates in nail cosmetics. There is an urgent need to revisit Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) opinion to reconsider exposure to methacrylates and cross-reactions between them. A strategy needs to be developed and implemented to better control the current outbreak.

Nail Polishes: A Review on Composition, Presence of Toxic Components, and Inadequate Labeling

Nail polishes were developed in 1920, and since 1940, it has been known that these cosmetics contain toxic and sensitizing components. Over the years, nail polishes have undergone several changes in their formulation to avoid this problem, but new components have also been considered toxic and allergenic. The growing demand for gel nails has also been highlighted in cases of allergy to (meth)acrylates, and the biggest concern that was previously related to the presence of toluene sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin (TSFR) in traditional nail polish formulations is now also part of (meth)acrylate-based cosmetics. The beautification caused by nail polish is the main factor behind its constant use throughout the world, but studies have demonstrated its use for other purposes, such as treating fungal diseases, sun protection factor in cancer patients, and as a possible ally in forensic area. This review brings the beginning of the discovery of nail polish and its trajectory to the present day, including its effects on health and its inadequate labeling. Therefore, it is extremely important that legislation monitors the composition of nail cosmetics and that new formulations are studied to make them safe for health and the environment.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Acrylates: A Case Report

(Meth)acrylates are a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) that can be found in medical (such as pads) and aesthetic (specifically nail cosmetics) products. Prolonged and intimate contact with sanitary pads can predispose individuals to ACD triggered by a variety of allergens. This report presents the case of a young female patient with episodes of nail contact dermatitis followed by a protracted history of intensely symptomatic allergic contact dermatitis affecting the external genital area, precipitated by methacrylates present in menstrual pads.