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 having a suspected allergic reaction to nail products.

Lisa Deweyy, from Pattishall in Northamptonshire, had been getting regular gel manicures for years without issue.

But following an appointment in February, the 36-year-old’s fingers became inflamed and her nails started to peel away. One finger even turned purple — leaving her fearing that 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 been left with ‘very aggravated’ fingers and is barely able to move her hands due to the pain.

The NHS cleaner now believes she has an allergy to a product in gel nail polish — a growing problem highlighted by dermatologists last month.

But following an appointment in February, the 36-year-old’s fingers became inflamed and her nails started to peel away. One finger even turned purple — leaving her fearing that she would lose it. Pictured: Mrs Dewey’s nails before the reaction

After getting another manicure last month, the NHS cleaner has been left with ‘very aggravated’ fingers and is barely able to move her hands due to the pain. Pictured: Mrs Dewey’s nails after her gel manicure

Mrs Dewey, a mother of two girls, aged three and 12, first noticed a reaction after getting gel nails in February.

Despite getting the same treatment she had been having for years, within a matter of days her nails had begun peeling up from the nail bed. 

One even went purple, while the others became itchy and extremely sore.

She never suspected her manicure could be the problem.

Mrs Dewey said: ‘I’ve been getting my nails done all my life for acrylics or gels.

‘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 feared I might even lose a finger when it went purple around the nail.

‘I feared it might be starved of oxygen. But it ended up being something completely different.’

Her doctors prescribed her a round of antibiotics for what seemed to be an infection.   

After having the gels removed and taking a break from nail products, she thought it was over.

But after getting a set of acrylic nails put on again in April, she had an even worse reaction.

Not only did her fingernails begin to lift again, but the skin around her nails became ‘like paper’, leaving her unable to move her hands due to the pain.

She has recently been prescribed a different round of medication to treat it.

Mrs Dewey did not share what doctors believe is causing her symptoms but she believes it is an allergic reaction.

The British Association of Dermatologists last month warned that medics are treating people for allergic reactions to acrylic and gel nails most weeks.

It warned that poorly-trained manicurists and at home gel polish kits were to blame for the reaction, which happens when the UV light that ‘cures’ the polish isn’t used for long enough.

This can cause the chemicals in gel nail polishes, known as methacrylates, to leak into the skin and cause nails to fall off, rashes and even breathing difficulties, in severe cases. Sufferers then have a ‘life-long sensitisation’ to the chemicals.

Those who suffer such a reaction may be unable to undergo vital operations in the future, such as cataracts, joint replacement or dental work, which involve exposure to the same chemicals. 

The NHS cleaner now believes she has an allergy to a product in gel nail polish — a growing problem highlighted by dermatologists last month. Pictured: Mrs Dewey’s nails after her reaction

Now Mrs Dewey has vowed to stay away from nail products for good — and is warning others about the risks.  Pictured: Mrs Dewey’s nails after her reaction

She said: ‘I am going on holiday in August and I was booked to get my hands and toes done. Now I’m not getting them done.’ Pictured: Mrs Dewey’s nails after her reaction

She added: ‘I just want to do my bit in trying to get the word out that things might not be as good as they seem.’ Pictured: Mrs Dewey’s nails after her reaction

Mrs Dewey’s hand and nail pain makes everyday tasks tough and she is constantly having to ask for help from husband Lee, 45 (pictured)

Mrs Dewey’s hand and nail pain makes everyday tasks tough and she is constantly having to ask for help from husband Lee, 45.

She said: ‘Washing my daughter’s hair is hard because you have to bend your fingers.

‘Even strapping her in the car — if I catch my finger on the belt, I jolt from the pain because the skin is raw.

‘It gets so aggravated but wearing gloves doesn’t even help because sweaty hands aggravate it too.

‘Anything scented or fragranced makes it worse — I can’t put a conditioning treatment or mousse in my hair.’

Now Mrs Dewey has vowed to stay away from nail products for good — and is warning others about the risks.

She added: ‘People can get their nails done for years with no issues until one day it hits them.

‘I am going on holiday in August and I was booked to get my hands and toes done. Now I’m not getting them done.

‘This has knocked my confidence so much. I don’t normally care what people think of me, but now I hide my hands away.

‘It’s just embarrassing to have hands like this. There’s a coronation party this week, and if my hands aren’t better, I won’t be going.

‘I just want to do my bit in trying to get the word out that things might not be as good as they seem.’