Dip Flu -Is it Dangerous, How to Spot, Treat & Prevent

Dip Powder is supposed to be one of the safest forms of manicures without needing harsh UV lamps like gel and strong-scented monomers like acrylic nails.

But sadly a few individuals have reported developing Dip Flu after getting their dip nails.

So what really is Dip Flu, is it very dangerous and should you be worried? This article will cover everything you need to know including how to spot, treat and even prevent Dip Flu from occurring.

Important note: I am not a medical professional. So this article is not to be taken for medical advice. Instead, it is meant to educate you to make you a bit more knowledgeable. Please check with a doctor if you are very sick.

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What is Dip Flu

Dip Flu is a condition where individuals develop flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose and coughing after a dip manicure.

Now it’s important to note that Dip Flu is not a medical term and has not yet been researched by doctors and experts.

But it has happened to enough individuals that some beauty and nail experts consider it an issue that needs to be talked about and even studied.

Is it Really Dangerous

Dip Flu can be dangerous and should be taken seriously especially if your symptoms are getting worse. This is because most of the symptoms manifest in your respiratory system and anything that affects there can potentially be very dangerous.

This is why you should check with your doctor if you suspect you have Dip Flu, especially if your symptoms are getting worse.

Thankfully dip flu isn’t very common with thousands of women safely getting dip manicures without any symptoms.

But I personally recommend that if you have experienced dip flu you should avoid getting dip manicures again. They are so many other types of manicures available such as Press on Nails which is just as easy to DIY like Dip Powder.

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What Causes Dip Flu

The cause of Dip Flu has not yet been identified. But the most common ideas are that it is from;

Inhalation or exposure to the Dip Powder Base which is a strong chemical made of Cyanoacrylate commonly used to make super glue.
Inhaling the dip powder which in theory can cause a reaction in your respiratory system similar to how pollen does.
Inhaling the Dip Powder Activator –

It is believed that Dip Flu is caused mostly by “inhalation” because most of the symptoms resemble a respiratory condition like the flu.

One theory is that Dip Flu is a form of Allergic Rhinitis since the symptoms are very similar.

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What are the Symptoms

From my research most individuals who suffered from dip flu reported symptoms that are very similar to the common cold or flu such as:

Runny Nose and Sneezing
Coughing
Headaches and nausea
Being lethargic (Tiredness)

Some individuals reported having skin reactions such as redness and burning on their fingers and hands. Though this is more likely an form of contact dermatitis which is where your skin reacts to a strong chemical such as the dip base or activator.

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How long does Dip Flu last

From my research, How long dip flu will affect you will vary greatly from a few hours to a few days.

This variation is probably due to the amount of exposure you had and how sensitive you are.

How to Prevent Dip Flu

Now since we don’t truly understand what really causes Dip flu we can’t totally prevent it from occurring. But they are some generally safety thing that you can do such as:

1- Wear a Mask & Eye Protection

If you are worried about Dip Flu then you need to wear a high-quality face mask and even some eye protection during both application and removal.

This will help prevent the fumes or powder from being inhaled or going into your eyes. I recommend using N95 masks and maybe even consider wearing a face shield for added protection for your eyes.

Now I always wear a mask when doing manicures whether it is an acrylic, gel or dip mani. You see most types of manicures use strong chemicals and inhaling them won’t do your health any good.

2- Ensure The Dip Manicure is Done in a Well Ventilated Room

Another step that you need to take is to ensure that you are in a well ventilated room during both the application and removal of dip powder, meaning windows are open and or air vents are working properly.

This will prevent the dip fumes and dust from becoming concentrated which would increase the chances of you inhaling them.

3- Keep the Dip Powder Away from Your Face

When doing a dip manicure you should keep the products as far away from your face as possible. This will reduce the likelihood of you inhaling any of the chemicals.

4- Consider Getting An Air Purifier

An air purifier will help to filter the air and remove any fumes and dust from the dip manicure.

5- Clean Up Thoroughly after the Dip Manicure

Ensure that you wipe down any of the surfaces that your dip powder may have gotten on. This prevents you or anyone else from getting exposed to leftover residue the dip manicure.

6- Take a Bath and Wash Your Clothes

Its recommended that you put your clothes in the laundry (maybe wash them separately from your other clothes) and also take a bath after the dip powder manicure.

This will help to remove any residue that may have gotten on your skin or clothes during the application.

How to Treat

Now since we don’t truly understand what Dip Flu is, we can’t recommend a treatment.

But what we can recommend is for you to go see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the dip flu symptoms especially if they are getting worst.