J Cosmet Dermatol

Nail cosmetics linked to allergic and infectious complications

October 31, 2025

Study details: A literature review of 58 PubMed articles (2014 to 2025) examined adverse dermatologic outcomes associated with nail cosmetics. Search terms included nails, cosmetics, nail disease, adverse outcomes, and pedicure.

Results: Gel manicures were most often associated with psoriasiform onychodystrophy, pterygium inversum unguis, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), onycholysis, paronychia, pseudo-psoriatic nails, and onychomycosis. Acrylic manicures commonly caused worn-down nail syndrome, pseudo-psoriatic nails, ACD, onychomycosis, onycholysis, periungual eczema, and allergic nail dystrophy. Key risk factors included UV light exposure, at-home application, and allergens such as acrylates and isocyanates.

Clinical impact: With manicure popularity rising, clinicians should recognize these associations to guide patient counseling. Recommendations include allergen inclusion in patch testing and photo-protection for at-risk individuals.

Source:

Javaid K, et al. (2025, October 21). J Cosmet Dermatol. Dermatologic Conditions Associated With Various Types of Popular Nail Cosmetics: A Systematic Review of Existing Literature and Future Recommendations. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12539760/