I've spent the last few months trying to figure out if I have a gel allergy or not. I'm on the waitlist with a dermatologist to do a full allergy panel, however, the waitlist is several months long and I'm getting married soon and really would like to get my nails done.
The last time that I had my nails done (Feb this year) my fingers felt swollen and itchy for a few days. At this point, I did some research on possible allergies and decided it was best to have the gel polish removed. I do regularly have eczema flare-ups on my fingers and hands and noticed my eczema started to flare up immediately after getting my nails done but didn't think too much of it. I did flag it with my nail tech, who wasn't concerned either, she did a very rough manicure and I thought that was possibly irritating my fingers and asked her to be more gentle.
I had a big issue with my nails lifting, which my nail tech did notice for about six months, and the second photo shows what this looked like after the gel polish was removed. The initial lifting was due to my attempt at trying to move furniture myself, but since reading about allergies and lifting, I'm thinking that although the injury was the catalyst for the initial lifting, the possible allergy could have exacerbated it. It would have been approx six months between lifting furniture and the second picture, and I feel like they probably should have healed more, although important to note that I'm somewhat rough on my hands with playing with my dog, strength training at the gym and day to day activities.
I haven't had my nails done since the removal, which is around four months as of now. My nails have fully grown out from the lifting, and are otherwise healthy.
In that time I have had gel pedicures, with zero reaction. If I had developed an allergy to gel, shouldn't I have had a flare up on my feet?
It's close to my wedding and I'm really contemplating seeing another nail tech to test out if it's an actual allergy or not, given that I'm not going to find out anything official for months. Would that be a completely stupid decision? Am I just in denial?
I would appreciate any feedback, the non reaction to the pedicure really made me question the issue.
by konfinity
4 Comments
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Hello, /u/konfinity! It looks like you’re posting to ask about acrylate allergies. [Our sister sub, r/gelnails, has an allergy guide in its wiki.](https://www.reddit.com/r/GelNails/wiki) If you haven’t already, it might be worth reading over.
If you’re posting to ask what products are allergy-safe, you will need to get an acrylate panel done by a doctor first. Unless and until you know exactly what ingredients you react to, every acrylate product (including gel, acrylic, polygel, dip, and nail glue) should be considered unsafe.
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I can wear gel and nail polish on my feet but nothing on my hands. I would recommend trying press ons for your wedding and waiting until you get your results. That second picture….. I cannot believe your tech would put product on you knowing you were reacting. That is so irresponsible.
From my own experience, that looks identical to when I developed a gel allergy 😔 I also have eczema and thought it was just a flare up. The visible lifting of the nail off the bed is onycholysis and it is no joke.
Don’t do what I did!! I tested how bad the allergy was by trying to use it after waiting a few months, not touching the cuticles with polish etc. I had to sleep holding an ice pack and had such bad lifting that two entire years later, I STILL have a nail that isn’t fully healed (it’s finally close though!!) Gel allergies are for life.
Thankfully I still have dip powder :))
https://preview.redd.it/7qgvohvz5q6d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8eff60d7c583774ce6143c40223e438d63ffeb1c