…doesn’t mean you can’t have elegant looking fingernails.

Long, sleek, painted fingernails are what many women dream of having. But for some women this dream can turn into a nightmare because of allergic reactions.

When you open a bottle of nail polish, the first thing you notice isn’t the pretty color, it is the smell. Nail polish generally stinks, to put it bluntly. The reason why is because of all the chemicals in it. Most nail polishes are made from phthalates, solvents and formaldehydes. Nail polish is also made of fragrances, synthetic preservatives and dyes. That is a lot of chemicals. For people with allergies that is also a lot of chances for an allergic reaction.

What kind of allergic reaction can nail polish cause? It can cause the most suspected reactions like redness and itchiness around the fingernail and nail bed. But it can also cause rashes on the other parts of the body as well as asthma-like attacks from the smell of the polish itself.

Is there any nail polish on the market that is safe to use? No, not really. There are some nail polishes that do not contain phthalates or formaldehydes. But since nail polish is considered a cosmetic they are not screened in the US by the FDA. They also do not have to list every ingredient used in production of the polish. The European Union has banned all use of phthalates and formaldehydes in their cosmetics. Yet, that still leaves the solvents, the dyes and the preservatives in the polish. These still can also cause allergic reactions.

“Safe” alternatives

If you have had an allergic reaction to nail polish but still want to use it, you could try some of the gentler nail polishes. They aren’t as easy to find though. They probably won’t be found at your local drug store. Plus, they usually take up to three coats to actually achieve the color you want. But they are a safer alternative.

• www.honeybeegardens.com makes nail polish and a polish remover with fewer chemicals than most companies do. Their nail polishes are water based nail enamels. They are free from phthalates, formaldehydes, solvents, and FD & C colors. Their nail polish remover is odorless, which is a great plus. It is also free from acetone, fragrance and color.

• www.bewellstaywell.com has a nail polish that is free from toluene, formaldehyde and rosin. But it does contain solvents, phytahlic and anhydride.

No polish, but still great looking fingernails

Yet, if your allergic reaction is severe, your best bet is stay away from nail polish and nail polish remover, completely. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have elegant looking fingernails.

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Keep your fingernails clean.
2. Soak them frequently in a bowl of warm water and gentle soap.
3. File them weekly.
4. Use a nail buffer to keep them ridge free and shinier.
5. For extra white and shine, use a half of a lemon as a buffer.

- Linda McCloud

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