Allergy to hypoallergenic nail polish: does this exist?

Abstract The main allergen responsible for contact dermatitis to nail polish is tosylamide-formaldehyde resin. The so-called hypoallergenic nail polishes are suposedly free of agents that commonly trigger reactions. The commercially available products and their compositions were studied. It was observed that most brands present at least one component capable of triggering the disease; therefore, allergic reaction may occur even when hypoallergenic polishes are used. There should be a proper investigation of the specific allergen through a patch test, because more than one component can cause an allergy, and we need to check the exact composition of each product.

Comparison of nail lacquer clobetasol efficacy at 0,05%, 1% and 8% in nail psoriasis treatment: prospective, controlled and randomized pilot study / Comparação da eficácia do clobetasol em esmalte 0,05%, 1% e 8% no tratamento da psoríase ungueal: estudo piloto, prospectivo, controlado e randomizado

BACKGROUND: Nail psoriasis may affect up to 90% of patients with psoriasis in the course of the disease throughout their lives and it is often a therapeutic challenge to dermatologists. Topical treatments described in the literature have demonstrated variable efficacy, and unsatisfactory results have been associated to inefficient penetration of the active ingredient into the nail plate and proximal nail fold. Recently the use of clobetasol on nail lacquer vehicle has been suggested, with satisfactory results and no side effects. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of clobetasol in nail lacquer vehicle in three concentrations (0.05%, 1% and 8%) in patients with nail psoriasis. METHODS: Prospective, controlled, randomized pilot study in fifteen patients with nail bed and/or nail matrix psoriasis in both hands, subdivided into three groups: A(0.05% clobetasol nail lacquer), B(1% clobetasol nail lacquer) and C(8% clobetasol nail lacquer). All groups used clobetasol nail lacquer on the left hand and base coat nail lacquer as control on the right, twice a week for 16 weeks. Clinical evaluation was done by photographic records and the NAPSI score of both treated and control hands, as well as modified NAPSI score of the most affected nail of the treated hand. RESULTS: Group C showed a statistically relevant clinical response compared to the other groups, reflected in the improvement of clinical parameters, of treated hand NAPSI score, when compared to the control hand, and modified NAPSI score of the most affected nail in the treated hand. CONCLUSION: The 8% clobetasol nail lacquer was effective and safe, and it can be considered a good option of topical therapy in the treatment of nail psoriasis.

FUNDAMENTOS: A psoríase ungueal, de difícil manejo terapêutico, pode afetar até 90% dos portadores de psoríase no transcurso da doença, ao longo de suas vidas. Os tratamentos tópicos descritos na literatura têm eficácia variável, muitas vezes com resultados insatisfatórios causados pela ineficiência da penetração da substância ativa através da placa ungueal e dobra proximal. Recentemente tem sido proposto o uso do clobetasol em veículo esmalte, demonstrando resultados satisfatórios e ausência de efeitos colaterais. OBJETIVO: Determinar a eficácia e segurança do clobetasol em veículo esmalte em três concentrações (0,05%, 1% e 8%) nos pacientes com psoríase ungueal. MÉTODOS: Estudo piloto, prospectivo, controlado e randomizado com quinze pacientes portadores de psoríase ungueal em ambas as mãos. Os pacientes foram subdivididos em três grupos: A (esmalte clobetasol 0,05%), B (esmalte de clobetasol 1%) e C (esmalte de clobetasol 8%). Os pacientes usaram esmalte de clobetasol na mão esquerda e esmalte base (sem medicação - controle) na direita, aplicandoos duas vezes por semana, por 16 semanas. Fez-se a avaliação clínica por registros fotográficos e pelos MÉTODOS: NAPSI da mão tratada e controle e NAPSI modificado da unha mais acometida da mão tratada. RESULTADOS: O grupo C apresentou de forma estatisticamente significativa a resposta clínica mais relevante, refletida na melhora dos parâmetros clínicos, do NAPSI da mão tratada comparado ao da mão controle e do NAPSI modificado da unha mais acometida da mão tratada. CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo piloto, o esmalte de clobetasol a 8% foi eficaz e seguro, mostrando-se uma boa opção de terapêutica tópica no tratamento da psoríase ungueal.