Allergy to Gel Nails and Gel Polish: Signs and What to Do
By HER Beauty
Yes, you can become allergic to gel nails and gel polish. It is usually caused by acrylates such as HEMA, which are strongly allergenic if they touch the skin before they are cured. If you get redness, itching, swelling or blisters around your nails, stop having new treatments and talk to your doctor.
What exactly are people allergic to?
Gel polish and gel nails are made from acrylates, for example HEMA. According to the Danish Videncenter for Allergi (Knowledge Centre for Allergy), acrylates are highly allergenic if they get on the skin before they are cured. Once they are fully cured, they do not cause allergy.
So the risk is mainly about skin contact with uncured product. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency notes that gel polish can contain uncured acrylates such as HEMA, and recommends having products with acrylates applied by a professional so you avoid skin contact.
This allergy is not rare among people who get tested. At the Department of Dermatology at Gentofte Hospital, 7.3% of the women tested in 2023 were found to be allergic to HEMA, compared with 2% in 2017, according to Videncenter for Allergi. These figures are for patients patch tested at a dermatology department, not for everyone in Denmark.
Which symptoms should you look out for?
For clients, Videncenter for Allergi says the reaction usually starts with redness and swelling around the nail. It can spread up the finger and to the fingertips, where blisters may form, burst and turn into small sores.
Signs to take seriously:
- redness and swelling at the cuticles and nail folds
- itching around the nails
- blisters or small sores on the fingertips
- scaly skin or cracks in the fingertips
- nails lifting away from the nail bed
The centre also describes that the nails can, in some cases, be permanently changed. So it is wise to act early rather than waiting for it to pass on its own.
What should you do if you think you are reacting?
Stop having new sets or polish applied. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency advises stopping use and seeing a doctor if you get redness, swelling or itching, so you can find out what you are reacting to.
Do not pick the gel polish or gel off yourself. Ask your doctor how best to get it removed. If you want it removed with us, gel removal takes 30 minutes and costs 309 DKK. You can also read about safe removal.
Your GP can refer you to a dermatologist. According to sundhed.dk, the Danish public health portal, the diagnosis is made with a patch test, where plasters with test substances stay on your back for 2 days and are read after 48 to 72 hours and again after a week. If a contact allergy is confirmed, sundhed.dk says you should expect a lifelong task of avoiding the substance.
Videncenter for Allergi states plainly that you should not use artificial nails or gel polish if you have had a rash after using them before. The same acrylates are also found in things like dental fillings and dentures, so it may be relevant to tell your dentist about a confirmed allergy.
How can you lower the risk?
- Have gel applied by a professional. Both the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and Videncenter for Allergi recommend this, because it is about avoiding skin contact.
- Be careful with home kits. Since 2021, EU cosmetics rules have restricted products containing HEMA and Di-HEMA TMHDC to professional use, with the warning "Can cause an allergic reaction".
- Wipe gel off the skin straight away. If uncured product gets on your skin, Videncenter for Allergi advises wiping it off at once and washing with soap and water. If you notice it in the salon, tell your nail technician right away.
- Tell us about known allergies. If you have reacted to nail products before, let us know before we start.
- "HEMA-free" does not mean acrylate-free. Other acrylates such as EMA and HPMA are also used. If you have a confirmed allergy, ask your dermatologist what you can tolerate.
Can you get gel polish when you are pregnant?
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency's advice for pregnant women does not mention gel polish specifically. Their general advice is to go easy on creams, make-up and other personal care products, because the less chemistry you expose yourself and your baby to, the better.
TPO, a substance that has been used in artificial nails among other things, is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, it has been banned in all cosmetics in the EU since 1 September 2025, including products used in nail salons.
If you are pregnant and unsure, talk to your midwife or doctor before you book. If you would rather wait with gel nails until after the birth, that is a perfectly sensible choice.
We cannot make a diagnosis in the salon, but we take it seriously if your skin reacts. Always tell us if you have had a reaction before, or if something feels wrong during a treatment. You can see all our services and prices, read about the difference between gel polish and gel nails or book online.