(HealthDay) -- Sure, that nail polish looks great. But, is it bad for your health?
The answer is no, probably not. It won't cause you serious harm, according to an article from MSNBC. But since nail polish does include things like acetones and zylenes, the use of nail polish could be a problem for some people. These chemicals are used in nail polish to add hardness, abrasion resistance and gloss. But they are also released into the air before the polish dries and could cause headaches, health experts say.
Other problems can include contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction of the skin. And sometimes it's not limited to just the hands. It can also affect the face, neck or genital area if you touch yourself in those places before the polish dries. If that happens, you should immediately stop using that kind of polish.
The best way to avoid problems is to use nail polish in a well-ventilated room, or even outdoors, if you can. If you are inside, use a fan to direct fumes away from your face. If you still have problems, try different brands and different colors. Check the labels. Look for ketone-based polishes, rather than acetone- or zylene-based ones. That might help. If possible, avoid polishes with toluene-sulfonamide resin. Some manufacturers are now making polishes without this compound, which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. If you keep switching brands and are still having problems, contact a dermatologist. He or she can help you identify the specific problem.
One other problem is less significant, but still worth mentioning. If you like to alternate using red polish with going without, you might want to avoid polishes that contain the dyes D&C Red Numbers 6, 7, and 34 as well as Number 5 Lake. These can leave a temporary yellow stain on your nails, particularly if you leave them on for more than a week.
To find out more about the symptoms of contact dermatitis, you can read this information from the American Academy of Dermatology. To find out more about acetone, you can read this from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
