title: Occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by cyanoacrylate-based eyelash extension glues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eyelash extensions are applied on top of customers' lashes using instant glue containing cyano acrylate, known to cause occupational rhinitis (OR) and occupational asthma (OA). The number of beauty professionals applying these extensions is increasing due to their popularity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report on a case of OA with OR and a case of OR attributable to lash extension glue and to evaluate respiratory exposure in lash extension work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two beauty professionals with suspected OA and/or OR underwent inhalation challenge, including both control challenge and work-mimicking challenges using the lash extension glue, each with a 24-h follow-up. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present were assessed during the lash extension glue challenge. The glues were analysed for their (meth)acrylate content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both beauty professionals (case 1 and case 2) applied lash extensions regularly for several hours per day as part of their work and had work-related rhinitis. Case 1 had a longer history of lash extension work and also had asthmatic symptoms. The first lash extension glue challenge was negative in both cases, but positive OR reactions were detected in the second test. Case 1 also had a late asthmatic reaction. During the lash extension glue challenge, VOC were present in total concentrations below the irritant threshold and ethylcyanoacrylate (ECA) was detected in a concentration of 0.4mg/m(3). Chemical analysis of the glues revealed ECA was the major component.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of eyelash extensions using small amounts of cyanoacrylate-based glues can cause OA and OR.
authors.affiliation: Control of Hypersensitivity Diseases, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. irmeli.lindstrom@ttl.fi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suojalehto
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Henriks-Eckerman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suuronen
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000633:toxicity*; D000328:Adult; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001505:Beauty Culture; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000633:toxicity*; D005140:Eyelashes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D003487:Cyanoacrylates
keywords: Asthma; cyanoacrylate; eyelash extension; glue; occupational; rhinitis; specific inhalation challenge