Is nail polish poisonous?
The bottom line
Nail polish is not poisonous if used as intended, though some ingredients can be harmful if ingested or with long-term inhalation. Symptoms of swallowing nail polish include nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. If you get nail polish in your eye, rinse the eye for at least 15 minutes.
Prevention Tips
Store nail polish up, away, and out of sight of children.
Use nail polish only for its intended purpose.
See the FDA guidance on the safe use of nail products.
This Really Happened
A 31-year-old woman called and complained of abdominal pain. She disclosed that she has been ingesting nail polish for 1 year and lately, she had been eating more of it. The caller said that when she got pregnant last year, she liked the taste of nail polish so she continued to consume it. Her last ingestion of the nail polish had been 3 days ago. A poison center recommended that she receive a medical evaluation due to the negative side effects associated with long-term nail polish ingestion.
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What is nail polish?
Nail polish is typically made of color pigments, solvents, and binding agents. Some formulations of nail polish also include alcohol, such as ethanol or rubbing alcohol.
Is nail polish poisonous? What happens if you eat nail polish?
Nail polish is not poisonous when used as intended. If you eat nail polish, you are likely to develop nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Typically, a taste or lick of nail polish is not likely to result in significant toxicity.
Is the smell of nail polish bad for you? Are nail salons safe?
If you have ever been in a nail salon, it is hard to ignore the strong odor permeating the air. For the most part, being in a nail salon and getting your nails done are not sufficient to cause a serious poisoning. The combination of chemicals in nail salons may create fumes that cause headaches, as well as irritation to the eyes and nose when inhaled. Proper ventilation and access to fresh air is important for reducing the risk of developing these symptoms.
Toluene (found in nail polish and nail glue), formaldehyde (found in nail polish and nail hardeners), and dibutyl Phthalate (found in nail polish) are known as the “toxic trio” of nail salon chemicals. Some evidence suggests that long-term exposure to the chemicals in nail salons can lead to asthma, liver or kidney problems, and cancer in people who work there.
Is nail polish safe to use during pregnancy?
While nail polish is generally safe for pregnant individuals to wear, people who work in nail salons are at higher risk for complications during pregnancy due to their long-term exposure to nail salon chemicals. Examples of nail salon chemicals that may be harmful during pregnancy are ethyl methacrylate (found in artificial nail liquid) and toluene (found in nail polish and nail glue).
Can you be allergic to nail polish?
In some cases, people can have allergic reactions to nail polish. Most nail polish skin allergies can be attributed to acrylates that may be present in nail polish. Other nail products such as acrylic nails, primers, nail removers, and hardeners also may contain allergens. Hypersensitivity reactions may also occur when repeatedly exposed to substances that trigger the immune system. A hypersensitivity reaction might appear as red or itchy skin, blistering, and throbbing pain.
What to do if you get nail polish in your eye or mouth.
If someone swallows nail polish, gets nail polish in the eyes or on the skin, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
If you get nail polish in your eye, rinse your eyes with room temperature water for at least 15 minutes, following these eye rinse instructions. Check with webPOISONCONTROL for specific symptoms that should trigger further evaluation. For example, if irritation or pain continue more than 2 hours after rinsing, evaluation in an urgent care or emergency room is recommended.
If you get nail polish in your mouth, wipe out as much as possible and drink small sips of water to rinse any remaining residue.
