I’ve got my nails done all my life – but now I can barely use my hands after suffering a reaction
A mother of two can barely use her hands and says her confidence has plummeted after a suspected allergic reaction to nail products.
Lisa Deweyy, from Pattishall in Northamptonshire, had been getting regular gel manicures for years without any problems.
But after an appointment in February, the 36-year-old’s fingers became inflamed and her nails began to peel. One finger even turned purple, which made her fear she would lose it.
Her doctor diagnosed her with a bacterial infection and prescribed her a steroid cream and antibiotics.
However, after getting another manicure last month, the NHS cleaner has ‘very aggravated’ fingers and can barely move her hands due to the pain.
The NHS cleanser now believes she is allergic to a product in gel nail polish – a growing problem highlighted by dermatologists last month.
Lisa Dewey (pictured), from Pattishall, Northamptonshire, has had regular manicures for years without any problems
But after an appointment in February, the 36-year-old’s fingers became inflamed and her nails began to peel. One finger even turned purple, which made her fear she would lose it. Pictured: Ms. Dewey’s nails for the comment
After getting another manicure last month, the NHS cleaner has ‘very aggravated’ fingers and can barely move her hands due to the pain. Pictured: Mrs. Dewey’s nails after her gel manicure
Ms Dewey, a mother of two girls aged three and 12, first noticed a reaction after getting gel nails in February.
Despite receiving the same treatment for years, within a few days her nails began to separate from the nail bed.
One even turned purple, while the others developed itchy and extremely sore spots.
She never suspected her manicure could be the problem.
Ms Dewey said, ‘I’ve had my nails done for acrylics or gels all my life.
“So when it first happened after a set of gels in February, I thought it was a bacterial infection.”
She added: ‘It happened suddenly – I was afraid I might even lose a finger when it turned purple around the nail.
‘I was afraid it would become deprived of oxygen. But it ended up being something completely different.’
Her doctors prescribed her a course of antibiotics for what appeared to be an infection.
After getting the gels removed and taking a break from nail products, she thought it was over.
But after she had another set of acrylic nails done in April, she reacted even worse.
Not only did her fingernails begin to lift back up, but the skin around her nails became “like paper,” and the pain prevented her from moving her hands.
She has recently been put on a different medication to treat it.
Ms Dewey hasn’t shared what doctors say is causing her symptoms, but she believes it’s an allergic reaction.
The British Association of Dermatologists warned last month that most weeks doctors treat people for allergic reactions to acrylic and gel nails.
It warned that poorly trained manicurists and home gel polish kits were responsible for the reaction, which occurs when the UV light that ‘cures’ the nail polish isn’t used long enough.
This can cause the chemicals in gel nail polishes, known as methacrylates, to leak into the skin and, in severe cases, lead to nail falling off, skin rashes, and even breathing difficulties. Sufferers then have a “lifelong sensitization” to the chemicals.
Those who suffer from such a reaction may not be able to undergo vital surgeries in the future, such as cataracts, joint replacements, or dental work, which involve exposure to the same chemicals.
The NHS cleanser now believes she is allergic to a product in gel nail polish – a growing problem highlighted by dermatologists last month. Pictured: Mrs. Dewey’s nails after her reaction
Now Ms. Dewey has vowed to stay away from nail products for good—and is warning others of the risks. Pictured: Mrs. Dewey’s nails after her reaction
She said: ‘I’m going on holiday in August and I was booked in to have my hands and toes done. Now I can’t finish them.’ Pictured: Mrs. Dewey’s nails after her reaction
She added, “I just want to do my part by trying to get the word out that things may not be as good as they seem.” Pictured: Mrs. Dewey’s nails after her reaction
Ms Dewey’s hand and nail pain makes everyday tasks difficult and she has to constantly ask for help from husband Lee, 45 (pictured)
Ms Dewey’s hand and nail pains make everyday tasks difficult and she has to constantly ask for help from husband Lee, 45.
She said, ‘Washing my daughter’s hair is difficult because you have to bend your fingers.
“Even if I tie her up in the car – if I hold my finger on the leash, I shake in pain because the skin is raw.”
“It gets so much worse, but wearing gloves doesn’t even help because sweaty hands also make it worse.”
“Anything scented or scented will make it worse — I can’t put a conditioning treatment or mousse in my hair.”
Now Ms. Dewey has vowed to stay away from nail products for good—and is warning others of the risks.
She added: “People can get their nails done for years without a problem until one day it hits them.
‘I’m going on holiday in August and I was booked in to have my hands and toes done. Now I can’t get them off.
“This has affected my self-confidence so much. Normally I don’t care what people think of me, but now I hide my hands.
“It’s embarrassing to have hands like that. There’s a coronation party this week, and if my hands aren’t better, I’m not going.
“I just want to do my part by trying to spread the word that things may not be as good as they seem.”