Dermatologists are seeing an increase in the number of people developing ‘life-changing’ allergies triggered by gel nail polish leaking into the skin – which can prevent them from having certain operations like cataracts, replacement of a joint or dental care.

Chemicals in gel nail polishes, known as methacrylates, can cause nails to loosen or develop a severe itchy rash, experts have warned today.

Methacrylate is a key ingredient in bone cements, which is used to stabilize hip and knee implants or as a bone filler during joint replacement operations.

In dentistry, it is also used for dental castings and implants.

But when doing gel manicures, chemicals can penetrate the skin when the ultraviolet lamps used to cure each layer of gel, aren’t used long enough, or the equipment is poorly maintained.

Dr Deirdre Buckley, consultant dermatologist in Bath, told the BBC’s Today program earlier this morning that there are a number of symptoms. “It can range from loose nails to falling off, it can include a severe rash on your face, neck, upper chest,” she said.

During gel manicures, chemicals penetrate the skin when the ultraviolet lamps used to cure each layer of gel are not used long enough or the equipment is poorly maintained

If the gel is not “cured” enough, a reaction to the chemicals may occur on the skin around the nails.

Each brand of gel polish has an exact cure time that must be adhered to, often 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or 90 seconds.

Yet the simple act of rubbing your fingernails against your arms or touching your face can produce symptoms in these areas.

Once sensitized, the body will no longer tolerate acrylates, which means anyone with an allergy cannot undergo medical procedures in which they are used.

Although reactions are worse when people use at-home kits, even professionally applied acrylic and gel nails can cause reactions if technicians are poorly trained, experts have warned.

Dr Deirdre Buckley, a consultant dermatologist in Bath, told the BBC’s Today program earlier this morning that people could experience a number of symptoms.

“It can range from loose nails to falling off, it can include a severe rash on your face, neck, upper chest,” she said.

“People may have trouble breathing or the asthma may get worse.”

She added: ‘Even worse they can become sensitive to acrylates in other areas which can have implications in dentistry or if they are diabetic or in orthopedic surgery and that is lifelong sensitization.’

On some occasions, people allergic to gel nails may also experience swollen lips, sores on fingers, or red, swollen cuticles.

In 2018, the British Association of Dermatologists first warned that methacrylate chemicals were causing an “outbreak of allergies”.

The “pan-European phenomenon” has also “crushingly” affected women, they said.

In their audit of 13 UK and Irish dermatology clinics in 2017, 4,931 patients were tested for methacrylate allergies, of which up to 2.4% experienced a reaction.

Previous research suggests that 93% of reactions to methacrylates occur in women.

A separate survey of 742 people attending dermatology clinics also found that almost one in five respondents (19%) had experienced adverse effects from acrylic nails applied in salons.

Around 16% also suffered a reaction to an in-salon gel polish treatment.

In 2018, the British Association of Dermatologists first warned that methacrylate chemicals were causing an “outbreak of allergies”. The ‘pan-European phenomenon’ has also ‘overwhelmingly’ affected women, they said

The best way to have a gel manicure safely is to consult a fully trained professional advised by experts.

A spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists told MailOnline today: ‘We initially raised the alarm about this in 2018 but it is not a problem that has gone away.

“In fact, it’s likely that the closure of nail salons during the pandemic has contributed to an increase in people using home kits, which is problematic if you don’t use them correctly.”

They added, “If using an at-home kit, be sure to use the recommended UV lamp for curing, avoid direct skin contact with nail product, and read instructions carefully.”

The best way to have a gel manicure safely is to consult a fully trained professional advised by experts.

There is no single qualification required to be a nail technician, but professionals often have either a beauty apprenticeship or a degree in manicurist.

But in some cases, the degree can take as little as a single day.

Earlier this year, researchers at the University of California, San Diego also found that ultraviolet (UV) nail polish dryers may pose more public health concerns than previously thought – and could cause the cancer, just like tanning beds.

They found that their use leads to cell death and carcinogenic mutations in human cells.

Unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB rays damages the DNA of skin cells, producing mutations that can lead to skin cancer.