Introduction/framework/objectives:

The use of artificial nails arose a few years ago and, given the ease access and the aesthetic acceptability, their use has been increasingly more prevalent, so the health problems inherent to it should become also more frequent.

Methodology:

This is a Review, written in March 2019, using the Scopus search engines; PubMed; Web of Science; Science Direct; Academic Search Complete; CINALH; MedLine; Database of Abstracts and Reviews; Central Register of Controlled Trials; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Nursing and Allied Health Collection; MedicLatina and RCAAP.

Content:

Many cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to acrylates have recently appeared between nail technicians; these are present in traditional lacquers, ultraviolet-hardened gel nail products and acrylic nails.

This allergy can be diagnosed through skin tests. It is estimated that its prevalence is on the order of 1%. The professionals of this sector already justify 80% of the skin tests for evaluation of the ACD in labor context. Sensitization may occur even by inhalation.

Discussion:

No references were found to risk factors such as noise, vibration, ultraviolet radiation (for the professional), maintained seated posture, repetitive movements, as well as prolonged shifts with few or no pauses. At the level of collective protection measures, no indications were found and the Individual Protection Equipment mentioned is not sufficient. For the specific question of acrylates, there are several articles associated with other professional contexts.

Limitations:

The authors made efforts to try to make their research exhaustive but, once completed, they realized that they did not find relevant data on the determination of chemical agents; indication of which techniques are possible and which are preferred to measure that in work environment or at a biological context (where applicable); references to the type of sample best suited to each situation or associated overall risk assessment.

Conclusions:

Artificial nail technicians are subject to a number of relevant risk factors and risks, for which the appropriate collective and individual protection measures sometimes are not taken into account.

It would be very pertinent to have motivated teams to study this sector better and to fill some of the limitations found, not developed in the international literature.

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