Prevention of lung diseases in manicurists and pedicurists

Although working in the beauty business can be rewarding, there are drawbacks as well, particularly with regard to health. Constant exposure to chemicals, dust, and repetitive motions can cause lung issues among other occupational diseases among manicurists.

Manicurists work with products that include dangerous ingredients like acetone, formaldehyde, and toluene on a daily basis. Regular inhalation of these chemicals can result in a variety of respiratory problems, from minor irritation to life-threatening lung diseases.

Apart from lung disorders, prolonged periods of inactivity, recurrent hand motions, and insufficient airflow can give rise to additional health issues. However, the chance of developing these conditions can be greatly decreased by being aware of these risks and taking preventive action.

Contents

Causes of lung diseases
Lung diseases and their symptoms
Allergic bronchitis
Bronchial asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Prevention of lung diseases
Masks for manicurists
Other occupational diseases
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Causes of lung diseases

The following are the primary causes of lung diseases in manicure professionals:

Dust, consisting of particles of nails and skin. When working with nails, including hardware manicure and pedicure, it rises into the air and penetrates the lungs, causing breathing problems and allergies;

Lung diseases and their symptoms

Numerous lung conditions can arise as a result of ongoing exposure to allergens. The master has to keep a close eye on his health and not put off going to the doctor if needed. We’ll start by enumerating the most prevalent illnesses, and then we’ll discuss how to prevent them, or what has to be done to stop them from happening.

Allergic bronchitis

Among nail technicians, allergic-related pneumonia is fairly common. It is distinguished by a drawn-out and frequently repeating course. Prolonged exposure to an allergen is the root cause of respiratory pathology.

Among the disease’s symptoms are:

dryness and sore throat;
dry cough, which is paroxysmal in nature, and then takes a productive wet form;
with prolonged coughing attacks, headache and dizziness may occur;
increased sweating;
weakness, lethargy;
irritability due to a lack of understanding of what is happening;
an increase in temperature to subfebrile values (not higher than 38 ° C);
in some cases, a runny nose and lacrimation appear.

The cough lasts for a long time, and after four to six weeks, clinical recovery happens. Simultaneously, there is a rise in the quantity of eosinophils—leukocytes indicative of an allergic response—in the sputum and blood. Please be aware that allergic bronchitis needs to be treated right away because it is regarded in medicine as a precursor to asthma. Corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antihistamines are used in the treatment of the illness. However, since the symptoms of allergic bronchitis will recur, it is imperative to minimize contact with the allergen.

Bronchial asthma

If you put off treating your allergies, bronchial asthma might eventually develop as a result. This respiratory ailment is long-term and is distinguished by bronchial hyperactivity.

The following symptoms could be an indication of asthma:

night and morning cough with difficult to separate sputum;
suffocation, in which inhalation is impaired, a lack of air is felt;
cough that occurs during physical exertion;
wheezing in the chest area.

Asthma is diagnosed by a doctor based on tightness in the chest and high-pitched wheezing during exhalation. Frequent colds, which "descend" from the upper respiratory tract to the lower sections, are an indirect indicator of its development. Almost all cases of bronchial asthma are incurable. Stable remission, in which there are no noticeable symptoms, is the goal of treatment. Hormonal agents are used to stop attacks, and bronchodilators are used to prevent them.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A different condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes partial restriction of airflow within the respiratory system. It is brought on by lung tissue inflammation that is brought on by an accumulation of different harmful substances. Manicurists would be better off quitting smoking because it has a negative influence on the development of pathology, in addition to professional factors.

Among the signs of COPD are:

prolonged cough with abundant sputum;
shortness of breath, which initially appears during physical exertion and intensifies with respiratory infections;
respiratory failure.

The skin turns pale, gets cold to the touch, and a cold sweat forms on the forehead during an asthma attack. Local bronchial immunity is severely compromised by COPD. The condition is made worse by an increase in the viscosity of bronchial mucus due to overproduction. An inflammatory and infectious process develops, providing an ideal conditions for the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Medications classified as antitussives, mucolytics, bronchodilators, and hormones are used to treat this illness. Pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygenation (saturation of the blood with oxygen) are carried out in cases of severe breathing difficulties. It won’t be possible to totally eradicate COPD, though.

Manicurists are frequently subjected to dangerous chemicals and repetitive motions that can cause major lung diseases and other occupational health problems. However, these risks can be greatly decreased with appropriate ventilation, protective equipment, and routine health examinations.

Prevention of lung diseases

Manicurists need to follow these guidelines in order to avoid lung diseases:

change disposable masks after each client or every 2 hours – more about masks a little later;
use special desktop or built-in hoods, vacuum cleaners for the milling cutter;
require that the professionals working nearby turn on the hood in time;
use a high-quality milling cutter, with which you can quickly perform all the basic manipulations with nails;
use a system with keratolytics in your work – at least for part of the work.

A healthy diet is essential for preventing lung diseases.

Include the following in your diet:

Vegetables, fruits, berries, especially black currants, apples, cabbage and carrots, containing antioxidants that protect cells from destruction by free radicals.
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids – sea fish (herring, smelt, salmon species), nuts, vegetable oils.

These physiologically active compounds are critical to the body’s overall health as well as the lungs. They aid in the development of humoral and cellular immunity, restore blood circulation, and normalize metabolism. Take balanced complexes of vitamins and minerals (Vitrum, Centrum, Supradin). You can keep your immunity at the appropriate level with their assistance.

Masks for manicurists

Wearing a mask or respirator will help you shield yourself from allergens and dangerous dust.

There are various kinds:

Disposable three-layer medical mask. It will protect you from inhaling dust generated when working with nail plates, and will also prevent pathogenic viruses and bacteria from entering the body. Such masks fit the contour of the face and do not restrict breathing. They need to be changed every 2 hours;
Reusable mask with a carbon filter. It fits tightly to the skin and allows you to neutralize odors and prevent dust, volatile substances, viruses and bacteria from entering the respiratory tract;
Respirator mask. A reusable protective mask holds dust particles and harmful substances. It is quite convenient to use and easy to wash. One such mask can be used for 2 months, then it needs to be replaced;
Respirator. Such a device serves to protect the respiratory system from harmful factors. It retains up to 99.9% of particles and effectively filters the inhaled air.

Psychologists claim that repeating an action for twenty-one days is required to form a habit. Eighty percent of the time, someone will succeed if they can stick to the decision that was made during this time.

Manicurists should wear personal protective equipment; learn about the various risks in the salon and how to avoid them.

Other occupational diseases

Manicurists run the risk of contracting various illnesses in addition to respiratory disorders:

Conjunctivitis. Aerosol antiseptics, dust and skin particles soaked in acid settle on the mucous membrane of the eyes, which leads to the development of inflammatory processes. Allergic conjunctivitis manifests itself in the form of itching, photophobia, burning, lacrimation, accumulation of mucus in the corners of the eyes. Often accompanied by swelling and redness of the conjunctiva. Antihistamines are used to treat the disease, including ophthalmic drops and ointments, corticosteroids. To avoid developing the disease when working with clients, you need to use protective glasses;
Vision deterioration. When working on a manicure, there is excessive eye strain. As a result, a feeling of fatigue, tearing, headaches appear. Often there is a burning sensation and dryness in the eyes. Constant tension leads to the fact that over time, the work of the visual apparatus deteriorates significantly. In order to stop this process, you need to work in good lighting and give your eyes a rest, use moisturizing drops with hyaluronic acid, do special exercises. If you have vision problems, you should use glasses;
Onychomycosis. Fungal nail infections are quite common among manicurists. The infection is transmitted by contact from the carrier of the disease. It manifests itself in the form of yellowing, delamination and formation of spots on the nail plates. In severe cases, onychomycosis causes deformation of the nails and their peeling from the nail bed. The disease is treated with antifungal agents for external and systemic use. To prevent the development of onychomycosis when working with clients, it is necessary to use protective gloves, while changing them regularly after each client;

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Dermatitis. The disease develops with prolonged contact of the skin with allergens (gel, disinfectants, acrylic). In this case, redness, swelling, rash, crusts or cracks appear on the skin surface, accompanied by itching and burning. To treat pathology with an allergic component, ointments with antibiotics, hormonal and antifungal components are used. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to protect your hands with gloves when working with clients;

Osteochondrosis. An uncomfortable chair and a tense body position during work often leads to the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Osteochondrosis can affect the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. This leads to the appearance of quite severe pain in the back. Cervical osteochondrosis can cause headaches, numbness of the hands, and blood pressure surges. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, glucocorticosteroids, blood circulation improvers and chondroprotectors are used to treat the disease. To prevent its development, you need to buy a comfortable chair or armchair, regularly do gymnastics and go to massage;

In most cases, a respiratory disease that progresses to a chronic state cannot be fully cured. In this instance, a manicurist will have to leave his line of work in order to preserve his health. As such, it is critical to focus on preventative measures. Wear personal safety gear and keep an eye on your well-being! Please leave your questions in the comments section.

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6 comments on “Lung diseases in manicurists and other occupational diseases, prevention”

Alina

Hi there! I have rosacea, according to a dermatologist, who also advises against becoming a manicurist because of the risks involved. Is it better to follow the doctor’s advice or not?

Editorial staff

Hi there, Alina! Consult another expert if in doubt. Doctors should, of course, be listened to. It is possible to change careers, but not one’s health.

Lily

Greetings for the afternoon. And what advice would you give a manicurist facing a respiratory tract allergy? Speak with a physician? Because of this, I get sneezing fits, runny noses, and weakness every day. I have no idea who to call. Could you possibly assist me?

Editorial staff

Lyudmila Sheveleva, doctor, editor of the Health section, answers: Good afternoon, Liliya! You need to contact an immunologist. If your medical institution does not have such a specialist on staff, make an appointment with a therapist. Diagnostics involves conducting skin tests to assess the local reaction to the effects of a number of allergens and performing blood tests to identify various antigens. About treatment. The most important thing is to exclude contact with the substance that provokes the allergy. For this purpose, you may even need to change your professional field, because daily use of antiallergic drugs will harm your health. But if the allergy is acquired, and you most likely have it, allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) will help. This is a treatment method that involves introducing into the body the allergen that caused the disease. The body "learns" not to react to the allergen by sneezing and running nose, and the allergy recedes.

Victoria

Hi there. Or perhaps a persistent sore throat indicates an intolerance? I do manicures. And if the master’s list of ailments includes illnesses of the throat as well. Clearly describe the symptoms. I’m grateful.

Editorial staff

Hello, Victoria! Yes, it can. When inhaling allergens (dust from filed nails, manicure products, aerosol chemicals), people who are hypersensitive to them develop respiratory allergies. Some of them, mainly allergic laryngitis and pharyngitis, manifest themselves with a sore throat. They are also characterized by:
• cough with the separation of a small amount of transparent mucous sputum;
• sore throat;
• hoarseness.
Little-known fact – sore throat is often a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis, which often affects manicurists. In this case, therapeutic exercises are recommended. If the pain subsides after them, then it was osteochondrosis that caused it.
To make a diagnosis, you need to see a therapist. He has all the diagnostic skills, then, based on the test results, he will refer you to a specialist, for example, a vertebrologist, allergist. Lyudmila.

Disease	Prevention
Lung Disease	Use masks and ensure proper ventilation
Skin Irritation	Wear gloves and avoid direct contact with chemicals
Back Pain	Maintain proper posture and take regular breaks
Eye Strain	Use adequate lighting and take short eye breaks

As a manicurist, taking care of your health is just as crucial as taking care of your clients’ nails. You can take proactive measures to stay safe by being aware of the risks, which include lung diseases and other occupational hazards.

Wearing masks, getting enough ventilation, and taking regular breaks can all help lower the risk of serious health problems. Additionally, it’s critical to continue learning about the chemicals you use and, whenever feasible, to choose safer substitutes.

Making your health a priority enables you to keep doing what you love while lowering the risks connected to your line of work. It is possible to have a long and healthy career in the beauty industry by adopting these preventive measures.