Permanent loss of finger nails from sensitization and reaction to acrylic in a preparation designed to make artificial nails.

Six years ago a patient suffered a severe allergic reaction from sensitization to methyl methacrylate in a mixture of materials designed to make artificial nails. There was marked erythema, edema, and pain of the eponychial and paronychial tissues with persistent paresthesia of the finger tips. Gradual destruction of the nail plates developed and since no regrowth of the nails resumed in six years, the loss of the finger nails is found to be permanent.