Viability of onychomycosis-causing fungi on nail polish

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17696/2318-3691.30.1.2023.168

Keywords:

Cosmetics, Nail Diseases, Dermatomycoses, Dermatophytes, Yeasts.

Abstract

Introduction: Nail infections caused by fungi are called onychomycosis, which are increasingly frequent worldwide. Nail polish is a chemically complex lacquer applied for decorative purposes or to protect the nail plate. However, used nail polishes may be colonized by microorganisms and, consequently, constitute a risk of nail diseases. Objective: Considering the importance of onychomycosis and the increasing use of nail polish, the objective of this study was to evaluate the survival of fungi in nail polish from different colors and commercial brands. Methods: The colors tested were colorless basecoat, white, and red, from four brands, totaling 12 samples. The flasks were individually contaminated by imprinting the applicator on cultures of four fungal species (clinical isolates): Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Candida albicans, and C. parapsilosis. Considering the moment of contamination, fungal viability was observed every 60 min, until the first eight hours. Further observations were after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of the inoculation. Results: The four species showed the ability to survive in the flasks on the first eight hours after inoculation. The viability for longer periods varied by brand and color. Trichophyton rubrum survived in all brands, in at least one of the colors, for 28 days. Conclusion: The main agents of onychomycoses can remain viable in nail polish for several days. Nail polishes should be considered as potential contamination vehicles, and measures should be taken to reduce risks of transmission. Further analyses are necessary to reveal the mechanisms of fungal survival in this environment.

 

References

Toedt J, Koza D, Cleef-Toedt KV. Chemical composition of everyday products. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press; 2005.

Cunningham J. Color cosmetics. In: Williams SD, Schmitt WH, editors. Chemistry and technology of the cosmetics and toiletries industry. Dordrecht: Springer; 1992. p. 149-82.

Schneider G, Gohla S, Schreiber J, Kaden W, Schönrock U, Schmidt-Lewerkühne H, et al. Skin Cosmetics. In: Ullmann’s encyclopedia of industrial chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA; 2001. p. 9–12.

Gatica-Ortega ME, Pastor-Nieto MA, Gil-Redondo R, Martínez-Lorenzo ER, Schöendorff-Ortega C. Non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by long-lasting nail polish kits for home use: ‘the tip of the iceberg’. Contact Dermatitis [periódico na Internet]. 2018 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];78(4):261–5. doi: 10.1111/cod.12948

Gupta AK, Renaud HJ, Quinlan EM, Shear NH, Piguet V. The growing problem of antifungal resistance in onychomycosis and other superficial mycoses. Am J Clin Dermatol [periódico na Internet]. 2021 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];22(2):149–57. doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00580-6

Gupta AK, Venkataraman M, Quinlan EM. New antifungal agents and new formulations against dermatophytes. In: Bouchara JP, Nenoff P, Gupta AK, Chaturvedi V, editors. Dermatophytes and dermatophytoses. Cham: Springer, 2021. p. 433–71.

Reinel D. Non-dermatophyte fungi in onychomycosis—Epidemiology and consequences for clinical practice. Mycoses [periódico na Internet]. 2021 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];64(7):694–700. doi: 10.1111/myc.13251

Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL, Barankin B, Leung AAM, et al. Onychomycosis: an updated review. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov [periódico na Internet]. 2019 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];14(1):32–45. DOI: 10.2174/1872213X13666191026090713

Diongue K, Ndiaye M, Seck MC, Diallo MA, Badiane AS, Ndiaye D. Onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp. in Dakar, Senegal: epidemiological, clinical, and mycological study. Dermatol Res Pract [periódico na Internet]. 2017 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];2017:1268130. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1268130

Roy P, Bhatt P. Nattrassia mangiferae: an uncommon agent of onychomycosis. Med J Armed Forces India [periódico na Internet]. 2015 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];71(3):297–9. doi: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2013.09.003

Gupta AK, Versteeg SG, Shear NH. Onychomycosis in the 21st century: an update on diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment. J Cutan Med Surg [periódico na Internet]. 2017 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];21(6):525–39. doi: 10.1177/1203475417716362

Gupta AK, Stec N, Summerbell RC, Shear NH, Piguet V, Tosti A, et al. Onychomycosis: a review. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol [periódico na Internet]. 2020 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];34(9):1972–90. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16394

Queller JN, Bhatia N. The dermatologist’s approach to onychomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) [periódico na Internet]. 2015 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];1(2):173–84. doi: 10.3390/jof1020173

Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Higiene Pessoal, Perfumaria e Cosméticos - ABIHPEC [homepage na Internet]. São Paulo: ABIHPEC; 2019 [acesso em 2021 Set 14]. Anuário ABIHPEC 2019 [aproximadamente 120 telas]. Disponível em: https://abihpec.org.br/anuario-2019/mobile/index.html#p=1

Terra.com.br [Homepage na Internet]. Segundo a Abihpec, setor brasileiro de esmaltes é o segundo maior do mundo; c2017 [atualizada em 11 janeiro 2019; acesso em 2023 Fev. 12]. Disponível em: https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/segundo-a-abihpec-setor-brasileiro-de-esmaltes-e-o-segundo-maior-do-mundo,d729998f54f181b3c902898b8a116507s0ywaaam.html

Elsayed MMA. Development of topical therapeutics for management of onychomycosis and other nail disorders: a pharmaceutical perspective. J Control Release [periódico na Internet]. 2015 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];199:132–44. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.11.017

Eertmans F, Doss N, Rossel B, Adriaens E. Daily application of an aqueous, acidifying, peelable nail polish versus weekly amorolfine for topical onychomycosis treatment: a prospective, randomized, blinded trial. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) [periódico na Internet]. 2018 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];8(3):463–73. doi: 10.1007/s13555-018-0254-1

Lipner SR, Scher RK. Onychomycosis: clinical overview and diagnosis. J Am Acad Dermatol [periódico na Internet]. 2019 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];80(4):835–51. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.03.062

Bongomin F, Gago S, Oladele RO, Denning DW. Global and multi-national prevalence of fungal diseases—Estimate precision. J Fungi [periódico na Internet]. 2017 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];3(4):57. doi:10.3390/jof3040057

Stewart CR, Algu L, Kamran R, Leveille CF, Abid K, Rae C, et al. Effect of onychomycosis and treatment on patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes: a systematic review. J Am Acad Dermatol [periódico na Internet]. 2021 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];85(5):1227-39 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.05.143

Haneke E. Prevention of relapse and re‐infection: Prophylaxis. In: Rigopoulos D, Elewski B, Richert B, editors. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis and effective management. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell; 2018. p. 162–172.

Sigurgeirsson B. Predicting the outcome of treatment: Prognostic factors. In: Rigopoulos D, Elewski B, Richert B, editors. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis and effective management. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell; 2018. p. 83–102.

Oliveira-Pereira F, Gomes SM, Silva SL, Castro-Teixeira AP, Lima IO. The prevalence of dermatophytoses in Brazil: a systematic review. J Med Microbiol [periódico na Internet]. 2021[acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];70(3):001321. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.001321

Lens C, Malet G, Cupferman S. Antimicrobial activity of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate and isopropyl alcohol on undesirable microorganisms in cosmetic products. Int J Cosmet Sci [periódico na Internet]. 2016 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12]; ;38(5):476–80. doi: 10.1111/ics.12314

Mercer DK, Stewart CS. Keratin hydrolysis by dermatophytes. Med Mycol [periódico na Internet]. 2019 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];57(1):13–22. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myx160

Pagano FC. A review of nail polish: The industrial cosmetic. Cosmet Toilet [periódico na Internet]. 2011 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];126(5):372–80. Disponível em: https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulas-products/color-cosmetics/article/21836978/a-review-of-nail-polish-the-industrial-cosmetic

Dizaj SM, Lotfipour F, Barzegar-Jalali M, Zarrintan MH, Adibkia K. Antimicrobial activity of the metals and metal oxide nanoparticles. Mater Sci Eng C [periódico na Internet]. 2014 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];44:278–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2014.08.031

Dantas KNM, Andrade LR, Lisboa E, Santana VL, Santos ALS, Mello TP, et al. Antimycotic nail polish based on humic acid-coated silver nanoparticles for onychomycosis. J Chem Technol Biotechnol [periódico na Internet]. 2021 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];96(8):2208–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6676

Arora H, Tosti A. Safety and efficacy of nail products. Cosmetics [periódico na Internet]. 2017 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];4(3):24. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics4030024

Batory M, Namieciński P, Rotsztejn H. Evaluation of structural damage and pH of nail plates of hands after applying different methods of decorating. Int J Dermatol [periódico na Internet. 2019 [acesso em 2023 Fev. 12];58(3):311–8. doi: 10.1111/ijd.14198

Published

2022-03-30

Issue

Section

Original Article

How to Cite

Viability of onychomycosis-causing fungi on nail polish. (2022). Archives Health Sciences, 30, e168. https://doi.org/10.17696/2318-3691.30.1.2023.168