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Nail Polish and Glue Removers: How to Nail it

nail polish remover

The Bottom Line

Nail polish remover is usually acetone which can cause skin irritation and brittle nails. Acetone can be absorbed through the skin, lungs and by ingestion. Swallowing acetone can cause irritation, vomiting, depression, seizures, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, acidosis, and other metabolic effects. Nail glue remover is usually an oil which has low toxicity.

nail polish remover
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What are nail polish remover and nail glue made of and how do they work?

Nail polish is made of nitrocellulose and pigments. Nitrocellulose is a polymer which can be broken up or dissolved by acetone. Acetone strips nail polish from the nail surface. Acetone-free nail polish removers may contain soy-based products, gamma butyrolactone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and n-methyl pyrrolidone, among other ingredients. Nail polish remover may also contain fragrance (0.1-1%), and a moisturizing substance such as mineral oil, lanolin, propylene glycol, or aloe vera. Products formulated for use in salons may contain stronger concentrations or more toxic ingredients than those sold for home use.

Nail glue is made of cyanoacrylate (such as ethyl cyanoacrylate), polymethyl methacrylate, and other additives. Nail glue remover is an oil, such as vegetable oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly. If you are using it to remove artificial nails, soaking your nails in mineral oil or vegetable oil will lubricate the nail glue and loosen the bond.  You can apply the oil around nail edges and put a few drops in the gap between the artificial nail tips and your natural nails. You may need to repeat these steps while enlarging the gap gradually until you are able to remove the artificial nail.

If you are using it to remove glue from skin, soak skin in vegetable or mineral oil or apply petroleum jelly and then gently check if you can remove loosened dried glue from the skin or can separate fingers that are stuck together. If eyelids are stuck together, gauze soaked in mineral oil or petroleum jelly or eye ointment can be applied to the eye. It may take days for the for the bond to loosen.  

Can nail polish remover and nail glue remover damage your skin or eyes?

Acetone can cause skin irritation (redness, itching, and burning). Acetone dries out the skin resulting in peeling and flaking. Repeated use on the nails can cause the nails to become brittle. Some people experience dermatitis associated with more serious irritation, swelling, and inflammation. Nail polish remover or glue is irritating to the eye, resulting in a stinging sensation and mild injury. Mineral or vegetable oil are not damaging to skin but can be irritating to eyes.

Is nail polish remover or nail glue remover toxic if swallowed?

Yes. Acetone and similar solvents can enter the body if swallowed as well as through the skin and inhalation. Swallowing nail polish remover can be irritating to the mouth and throat and can cause nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding. Other toxic effects include CNS depression (ranging from sleepiness to coma), seizures, ataxia (wobbly walking), incoherent speech, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, acidosis of the blood, increase blood sugar, and other metabolic effects.

Vegetable and mineral oil are usually non-toxic if swallowed. They are thick enough to be swallowed without getting into the lungs (aspiration). Diarrhea may result from swallowing a large amount. 

What are alternative options for removing nail polish and nail glue?

Possible home remedy alternatives to acetone and similar solvents for nail polish remover include rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, vinegar and lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide and hot water, and toothpaste and baking soda. However, these types of products take longer to work and are less effective, so you may need to soak your nails for 15 minutes or more in these other options. Putting soaked cotton balls on your nails and wrapping them with aluminum foil may also help. 

Options for removing nail glues include prolonged soaking in warm soapy water and/or an ethanol or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) water mixture. 

What to do if you are having a negative reaction to nail polish remover or nail glue remover?

If you get nail polish remover or nail glue remover on your skin, immediately wash it off with soap and water. If you get either polish or glue remover in your eye, flushing the eye with water for 10-15 minutes will decrease exposure and minimize the possibility of severe injury. If someone accidentally swallows a small amount of nail polish remover and has no symptoms, you can watch them at home. If someone swallows a large amount or has symptoms, they may require medical treatment and observation. If someone swallows an oil-based nail glue remover, no treatment is usually necessary except in the unlikely event of aspiration with symptoms of coughing, choking, or difficulty breathing. Help from experts is available through the webPOISONCONTROL online tool and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control’s expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

 

Wendy Klein-Schwartz, Pharm.D., MPH
Clinical Toxicologist 

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Call 1-800-222-1222 or

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Prevention Tips

  • Store nail polish and nail glue remover up, away, and out of sight of children.
  • Follow warnings on label.
  • Use nail polish remover that contains a moisturizer to minimize nail dryness.
  • Use nail polish remover in a well-ventilated area.
  • Store and use nail polish remover away from flames or heaters. 
  • Do not smoke or use curling iron while using these products.
  • Carefully apply nail polish and nail glue remover to the nails only.
  • Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to cuticles will protect them from acetone containing nail products.
  • Avoid getting nail polish and nail glue remover on skin, in eyes or on clothing.
  • Use fragrance free nail polish if you are sensitive to fragrances.
  • Report on adverse reactions to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

This Really Happened

A 30-month-old boy was found unresponsive. During transport to the hospital he had a seizure. In the emergency department he was unresponsive with decreased body temperature. His breath smelled sweet and fruity. Respirations decreased and he required respiratory support. Lab abnormalities included increased blood glucose, increased blood ketones and acidosis. Serum acetone level was high. His grandparents and mother informed them that a previously full 6-ounce bottle of nail polish remover (65% acetone, 10% isopropyl alcohol) was found empty on the floor with only a small amount spilled. Supportive care was provided, he improved back to his normal level, and he was discharged on day 4 of hospitalization.

For More Information

Nail Care Products. FDA.

References

Basuli D, Roy S. Elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis with high osmolar gap and increased serum acetone level: A case report. Cureus. 2022;14(7):e27085.  doi: 10.7759/cureus.27085.

Brambilla E, Crevani M, Petrolini VM, Scaravaggi G, Di Primo M, Roda E, Loccatellie CA. Exposure to nail and false eyelash glue: A case series study. Int J Enviorn Res Public Health 2020;17(12):4283. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17124283

Garnis AS, Wasserman GS. Acute acetone intoxication in a pediatric patient. Pediatr Emerg Care. 1988;4(1):24-26. doi: 10.1097/00006565-198803000-00008.

Kechijian P. Nail polish removers: are they harmful? Semin Dermatol. 1991;10(1):26-28.

Kellenberg K, BehrensA, Strik H, Knauth M. MR imaging-based evidence of vasogenic brain edema in a case of acute acetone intoxication. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2008;29(4):e16. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A0913. Epub 2008 Jan 17.

Umeh C, Gupta RC, Gupta R, Kaur H, Kazourra S, Maguwudze S, Torbela A, Saigal S. Acetone ingestion resulting in cardiac arrest and death. Cureus. 2021;13(10:e18466. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18466.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Store nail polish and nail glue remover up, away, and out of sight of children.
  • Follow warnings on label.
  • Use nail polish remover that contains a moisturizer to minimize nail dryness.
  • Use nail polish remover in a well-ventilated area.
  • Store and use nail polish remover away from flames or heaters. 
  • Do not smoke or use curling iron while using these products.
  • Carefully apply nail polish and nail glue remover to the nails only.
  • Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to cuticles will protect them from acetone containing nail products.
  • Avoid getting nail polish and nail glue remover on skin, in eyes or on clothing.
  • Use fragrance free nail polish if you are sensitive to fragrances.
  • Report on adverse reactions to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

This Really Happened

A 30-month-old boy was found unresponsive. During transport to the hospital he had a seizure. In the emergency department he was unresponsive with decreased body temperature. His breath smelled sweet and fruity. Respirations decreased and he required respiratory support. Lab abnormalities included increased blood glucose, increased blood ketones and acidosis. Serum acetone level was high. His grandparents and mother informed them that a previously full 6-ounce bottle of nail polish remover (65% acetone, 10% isopropyl alcohol) was found empty on the floor with only a small amount spilled. Supportive care was provided, he improved back to his normal level, and he was discharged on day 4 of hospitalization.