Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, which can be a painful condition. It can be caused by a number of different issues, including exposure to certain chemicals, excessive use of primers or bonds, or a gel product containing uncured monomers that leak out after improper curing. Onycholysis can also be caused by medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, retinoids, and captopril.
Some ingredients and materials that can cause onycholysis include:
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Triethylene glycol diacrylate (TREGDA): This chemical was found to cause eyelid dermatitis and a positive patch test in one case.
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Plasticisers: Camphor, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, and tricresyl phosphate are used in topcoats to enhance gloss and create a flexible film after drying.
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Solvents: Alcohol, toluene, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate are used as diluents to dissolve nail enamel components.
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Colourants: D&C Red No. 7 is an example of a colourant used to provide desired colour.
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Methyl methacrylate monomer: This chemical is a strong sensitizer and a cause of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis reactions.
The strong solvents used in nail enamel removers, such as acetone, alcohol, and amyl, butyl, or ethyl acetate, can also cause irritant contact dermatitis.
To prevent onycholysis, it is recommended to protect the hands and nails if extensive wet work is performed as part of household chores. Additionally, it is important to avoid exposure to chemicals in nail polish, nail gloss, nail hardener, nail polish remover, and fake nails. If you have onycholysis, you can take care of your nails by cutting away the separated nail as it grows out or by taking antifungal medications.
