Fingernail : Healthy Nails, Precautions for Artificial Nails

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 3 of 3)

When the offending agent is no longer used, reactions clear up. Sometimes, the user can identify the chemical causing the allergic reaction and avoid it.

Though rare, some nail products can cause illness and even death, particularly if ingested by children. In 1987, a 16-month-old toddler died of cyanide poisoning after swallowing a mouthful of solvent used to remove sculptured artificial fingernails. At least one other youngster was rushed to the emergency room for intensive care after swallowing a similar product. These products contained acetonitrile, a chemical that breaks down into cyanide when swallowed. Since 1990, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has required household glue removers containing more than 500 milligrams of acetonitrile in a single container to carry child-resistant packaging. This includes glue removers for artificial nails.

Nail products also can be dangerous if they get in the eyes. And they can easily catch on fire if exposed to the free flame of the pilot light of a stove, a lit cigarette, or even the heating element of a curling iron.

Consumers should read labels of nail products carefully and heed any warnings.

Healthy Nails

From current consumer habits, one might surmise that the main function of nails is to look good. But nails serve several physiological purposes: They enhance fine touch and fine motor skills and protect the fingers and toes. Doctors also may examine them for indications of serious underlying diseases; for example, clubbed nails (a condition in which fingers or toes thicken and the nails wrap around them) is a classic sign of chronic lung and heart disorders. For those reasons, it's important to keep nails healthy.

With proper care and precautions, nails can be both healthy and attractive.

Precautions for Artificial Nails

If there is any question about sensitivity to the materials in artificial nails, have one nail done as a test and wait a few days to see if a reaction develops.

Never apply an artificial nail if the natural nail or skin around it is infected or irritated. Let the infection heal first.

Read the directions for do-it-yourself nails before applying them, and follow the directions carefully. Save the ingredient list for your doctor in case you have an allergic reaction or other injury.

Treat your artificial nails with care. They may be stronger than your own, but they still can break and separate. Try not to bump or knock them. Find new ways to do ordinary tasks, like using a pencil to dial or depress the numbers on the phone.

If an artificial nail separates, dip the fingertip into rubbing alcohol to clean the space between the natural and artificial nails before reattaching the artificial nail. This will help prevent infection.

Never use household glues for nail repairs. Use only products intended for nail use, and follow directions.

Don't wear artificial nails for longer than three months at a time. Remove them for one month to give nails a rest.

Keep nail glues and other poisonous substances out of the reach of children.

Selecting a Safe Nail Salon

To help you decide if a salon provides sanitary nail services, nail and public health experts suggest considering the following:

Is the salon licensed? Licenses often are posted. If you don't see one, ask.

Are the nail technicians licensed? These licenses also are usually posted. Ask if you don't see one for your technician.

How are nail implements sanitized? Autoclaving (heat sterilization) is best, says Ralph Daniel, M.D., a dermatologist in Jackson, Miss. But most states allow chemical sterilizing as long as the implements are immersed in the solution for at least 10 minutes between customers. Ask the technician what the salon's practices are. If they're using a chemical solution, check the product's label for words like "germicidal" to indicate that it is strong enough to kill bacteria. If in doubt, bring your own implements, Daniel suggests.

Is there a pre-service scrub? Both the nail technician and the client should wash their hands with an antimicrobial soap before nail work begins.

Is each customer given a fresh bowl of soapy water to soak their nails in and is a new nail file used for each customer? Both practices should be followed.

Is the facility neat and clean? Paul Kechijian, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology and chief of the nail section at New York University, compares selecting a salon to selecting a restaurant. "Ask yourself when you walk in: Would you want to eat there?" he says.

Is there a strong smell of fumes? If there is, it's a sign that the facility is poorly ventilated, says John Bailey, Ph.D., acting director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors. Inhaling the fumes from nail products can make you sick.

If you have a complaint about a salon providing nail services, contact your state board of cosmetology.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.