L’eczéma généralisé aux acrylates des ongles artificiels n’est pas seulement professionnel

Abstract

Allergic contact dermatitis from acrylate with artificial nails is well-known but it's rarely generalized. Case reportA 37-year-old woman suffered from generalized chronic lichenificated eczema associated to severe nail dystrophy since 8 months, resistant to the dermocorticoids. When she was directly questioned about artificial nails she admitted to using glue-on preformed acrylic nails everyday since 9 or 10 months. After cessation of the glue-nail application, the dermatitis progressively healed. Patch tests showed positive tests to ethyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. DiscussionContact allergies to acrylate from artificial nails usually cause eczema around the nail. Generalized eczema with artificial nails have been described, but always in some severe cases of occupational-related exposure. Our patient used “glue-and-go-nails”, applied at home. After 3 days, they are removed. Indeed, repeated application of glue and permanent occlusion by a piece of plastic every 2 or 3 days is damage nails and the skin and can explain the intensive reaction of our patient. ConclusionFor permanent artificial nails, the customer should be informed to choose other types of nails like sculptured nails.