[Sensitization to acrylates caused by artificial acrylic nails: review of 15 cases]

Allergic contact dermatitis due to acrylates present in the workplace is a disease frequently reported among dentists, printers, and fiberglass workers. Recently, the number of cases of contact allergic dermatitis among beauticians specialized in sculpting artificial nails has increased.

Our objective was to study the clinical characteristics and allergens implicated in allergic contact dermatitis due to acrylates in beauticians and users of sculpted nails.

This was an observational, retrospective study of patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis due to acrylates used in sculpting artificial nails over the last 26 years in the Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, Spain.

In total, 15 patients were diagnosed: 14 beauticians and 1 client. Most cases were diagnosed in the past 2 years. All were women, their mean age was 32.2 years, and 26.7 % had a personal or family history of atopy. The sensitization time varied between 1 month and 15 years. The most frequently affected areas were the fleshy parts of the fingers and hands. Three patients - 2 beauticians and 1 client - presented allergic asthma due to acrylates. All patients underwent patch testing with a standard battery of allergens and a battery of acrylates. The most frequent allergens were ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (13/15, 86.7 %), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (13/15, 86.7 %), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (7/15, 46.7 %), 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (5/15, 33.3 %), and methyl methacrylate (5/15, 33.3 %).

Acrylate monomers used for sculpting artificial nails are important sensitizers for contact and occupational dermatitis. The most important consideration is primary and secondary prevention.