Don’t mock Abbey Clancy, a broken fingernail can be dangerous: Horrific risks associated with your manicure revealed after Peter Crouch’s wife was rushed to hospital

A broken nail may not sound like a medical emergency – but experts have warned of the dangers associated with manicures after Abbey Clancy revealed she was rushed to hospital and put on a drip when her acrylics snapped.

Infection and bleeding are a common risk, along with unbearable throbbing pain – as popular gel polish and UV lamps have also sparked concerns over cancer and fertility issues.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, ‘nail guru’ and polish brand founder Leighton Denny MBE revealed when to seek medical help, and what to look out for when you’re booking in your latest appointment.

‘People often think a broken nail is just a cosmetic issue, but if the nail splits deep into the nail bed it creates an open wound,’ Leighton stressed. ‘That leaves you vulnerable to infection, inflammation and in some cases severe pain or swelling that may require medical attention.

‘If it’s red, swollen, painful or there’s pus, don’t wait around – get it checked. That’s when a broken nail stops being a beauty issue and becomes a real health risk.’

‘Infections in the fingers can spread quickly, and what starts as a “minor break” can escalate into something far more serious,’ the manicurist said.

He said that ‘you should never ignore a nail injury that throbs, swells or worsens over 24 hours’, while aesthetician Shantelle Clarke of Diamond Skin Clinic in Knightsbridge warned that broken nails can create an opening for bacteria and lead to paronychia (a skin infection).

Speaking on her and her husband’s The Therapy Crouch podcast on Tuesday, former model, Abbey, 40, revealed her acrylic bent back and snapped off her entire nail after she gave her friend a hug.

She said the wound started pouring with blood and she had searing nerve pain along her arm, shoulder and neck, with the agony of the horror injury leaving her in tears all night.

‘I had a serious injury,’ Abbey said. ‘I ended up in hospital. I broke my nail. It sounds insane and I was so embarrassed going to hospital.’

She continued: ‘The doctor came to the room at 3am, put me on a drip for painkillers. When we were calling down to hotel reception, I was like “Can we have some paracetamol?”

‘They said: “We can’t give you paracetamol, we can’t give you ibuprofen.” So we had to wait for a doctor – that was two hours. Then the doctor came, and said, “I’m going to put you on a drip.” That was another two hours. It sounds so pathetic. It sounds ridiculous.’

‘People often think a broken nail is just a cosmetic issue, but if the nail splits deep into the nail bed it creates an open wound,’ Leighton stressed. ‘That leaves you vulnerable to infection, inflammation and in some cases severe pain or swelling that may require medical attention.’

‘If it’s red, swollen, painful or there’s pus, don’t wait around – get it checked. That’s when a broken nail stops being a beauty issue and becomes a real health risk.’

He added that, as was made clear by Abbey’s case, ‘you should never ignore a nail injury that throbs, swells or worsens over 24–48 hours’.

‘Infections in the fingers can spread quickly, and what starts as a “minor break” can escalate into something far more serious,’ the manicurist warned.

‘Attempting to glue, file or cover a severely broken nail without proper cleaning can significantly increase the risk of infection. You may think it will look better, but it can trap bacteria and make things a lot worse.’

And aesthetician Shantelle Clarke of Diamond Skin Clinic in Knightsbridge, said she has seen the dangers in her own patients.

‘Abbey did the right thing by going to the hospital right away because a broken nail creates an opening for bacteria and fungi to get in which can lead to a nasty illness called paronychia,’ she shared. 

‘I’ve seen this happen a few times and it is pretty serious because it can escalate nto something life threatening if the nail catches onto something causing a deeper tear into your flesh.

‘It’s imperative that you seek medical attention right away (especially if you are in pain) as I have seen cases where the nail grows back abnormally leaving the victim forced to deal with that and a nasty infection.’

‘A traumatic nail avulsion like this is a medical emergency rather than a cosmetic issue,’ said Dr Kristina Semkova, Consultant Dermatologist.

‘When an acrylic nail bends back and forcibly detaches the natural nail, it can tear the nail plate away from the nail bed, which is rich in blood vessels and nerve endings. 

‘This explains the heavy bleeding and the intense, radiating pain described, which can travel up the arm due to acute nerve stimulation and inflammation.’

She said that, more importantly, the exposed nail bed creates a direct entry point for bacteria.

‘Acrylic nails can harbour microbes, and when the protective barrier is lost, the risk of infection increases significantly, including bacterial cellulitis or, in severe cases, deeper soft tissue infection,’ she added.

‘Prompt medical assessment is essential to control bleeding, manage pain, reduce infection risk and ensure the nail regrows correctly without permanent damage or deformity.’

Here, experts have also revealed the various other risks associated with your manicure – ranging from cosmetic concerns to serious health dangers…

Brittle nails and bacteria 

‘I’m not opposed to gel polish, but they can cause the sort of damage that can lead to an injury because they weaken nails over time and make them brittle,’ Shantelle said.

‘It’s basically because you have to buffer your natural nail before application which can lead to wear and tear. I have also had to treat clients who have found bacteria under their nails because the polish is water resistant.’

Leighton agrees – adding that ‘overuse without breaks can weaken the natural nail, thin the nail plate and leave it more susceptible to splitting, lifting and infection’.

He said that it’s also equally important that gels are removed correctly.

‘Peeling or forceful removal causes microscopic tears in the nail, which again opens the door to bacteria and fungal infections,’ the expert added.

‘Discolouration, thickening and lifting are classic signs of a fungal nail infection. These should never be covered up with polish – that only traps the problem and makes it harder to treat.

‘If a nail changes shape, colour or texture and doesn’t improve, it’s time to stop cosmetic treatments and seek professional or medical advice.’

‘The best advice is to listen to your nails,’ he concluded. ‘Pain, heat, swelling and colour change are never normal. Nails should be treated as part of your overall health – not just an accessory.’ 

Premature ageing of skin 

Shantelle admitted she’s ‘not opposed’ to UV lamps, but has seen the wear and tear of them in her patients.

‘We are seeing women coming in with signs of premature ageing in their hands because of regular exposure to the ultraviolet light,’ she added.

‘You basically want to limit your exposure to anything that puts pressure on your skin or nails because it makes them more susceptible to damage.

‘I advise my clients to fingerless gloves when they’re using lamps or and keep gel manicures to a minimum. Every two to three weeks if possible’. 

Fertility issues 

Elsewhere, one of the latest health concerns to be linked to gel manicures is fertility issues after a key ingredient used in these polishes was banned across Europe amid fears it could be toxic. 

As of September 1, the European Union has banned the use of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide – commonly referred to as TPO – after studies showed it could adversely impact reproductive health. 

TPO is a photoinitiator, or the ingredient responsible for gel polish’s fast drying quality. The chemical also helps the nail varnish harden when exposed to ultraviolet light from the LED lamps used at salons. 

While this treatment means gel polish doesn’t chip or fade as easily as regular nail paint, experts are now raising concerns about its effect on fertility in the long run.  

The newly enforced ban means that nail salons across the EU’s 27 member states – as well as other countries that mirror its regulations such as Norway – have been informed that they must stop offering TPO-based nail gels, and safely dispose of their current stock.

Manufacturers will also now have to reformulate their products to be TPO-free.

However, these products will remain on sale in the UK and US – although industry insiders expect a similar precautionary ban on salons across the country towards the end of 2026. 

Reacting to the ban, some experts have noted the animal studies linking TPO to possible fertility complications are not supported by robust scientific evidence. 

During these studies, animals like rats were given high doses of TPO in exposure conditions that were significantly different to realistic scenarios where a much smaller amount of the chemical is applied to a human nail. 

Further, TPO’s effect on human reproductive health is still unclear since the studies about its toxicity were focused on animals. 

Skin cancer 

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego and University of Pittsburgh sounded the alarm after they found that radiation emitted from UV lamps used in manicures leads to cancer-causing mutations in human cells. 

In a series of laboratory studies, they found a high proportion of skin cells repeatedly exposed to the light emitted by these lamps died. 

Cells that did survive showed signs of damage, including to DNA, which can increase the risk of skin cancer.

Writing in the journal Nature Communications, the study authors warned: ‘Our experimental results… strongly suggest that radiation emitted by UV nail polish dryers may cause cancers of the hand.’

They added: ‘UV nail polish dryers, similar to tanning beds, may increase the risk of early-onset skin cancer.’ 

However, they cautioned that the study ‘does not provide direct evidence for an increased cancer risk in humans’.

Reacting to the study, Doug Schoon, of the US’s Nail Manufacturing Council, a chemist by training, said it was ‘a biased and unfair attack’.

He said the researchers used a very high-powered UV lamp and exposed cultured skin cells for far too long – 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days.

He added customers typically hold a hand under a lamp for three minutes during a nail bar session. Most go a couple of times a month.

‘I can guarantee results would be much different if they used three one-minute exposures. It appears their agenda is to make all UV nail lamps look dangerous,’ he said.

‘For over 20 years millions have regularly used these lamps, so they have a long history of safe use.

‘The bulk of scientific evidence demonstrates that UV nail lamps are safe, when used properly.’

Severe allergic reactions 

In 2018, dermatologists warned gel polishes could trigger allergic reactions and by 2023, TikTok was awash with graphic videos of women left horrified by the after-effects of their manicures. 

The culprit in this case is the group of chemicals in gel varnishes, known as methacrylates, that can cause ‘painful peeling’, swelling, itching, and blisters if exposed to the skin. 

Those who suffer this reaction are then unable to tolerate being exposed to the chemical, which is used in routine procedures such as fillings and hip replacements. 

Exposure to methacrylates can have ‘serious consequences for future medical care’, according to Bath-based consultant dermatologist Dr Deirdre Buckley. 

During gel manicures, methacrylates can enter the skin when the UV lamps used to seal and harden each layer of gel are not used for long enough, or the equipment is poorly maintained.

Each gel polish brand has an exact curing time which should be adhered to, often either 30, 60 or 90 seconds.

If the gel is not sufficiently ‘cured’ for the correct period of time, a reaction to the chemicals can occur on the skin around the nails, experts noted. 

Symptoms include the nails loosening and falling off, sores on fingers, and red and swollen cuticles, as well as severe rashes on the face, neck, or upper chest. Simply brushing your nails against your arms or touching your face can cause symptoms to spread to those areas.

One TikTok user @helenhopeofficial shared how her gel manicure habit took a turn when she started getting blisters on her fingers and watched in shock as her nails lifted off the bed (a condition known as ‘oncholyosis’) and the skin near her fingertips began peeling. 

When she consulted a nail technician, the TikTok user realised gel polishes can have ‘high levels of allergens’ and that her symptoms were the result of Hema – or a type of methacrylate. 

Multiple women told this paper how using at-home gel nail kits had led them to develop allergic reactions with painful symptoms such as ‘yellowish nails, peeling sore fingertips, burning, and red, split skin’. 

Dr Buckley previously told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s important that people are aware of the potential risks of artificial nail products, whether they are having them applied in a salon or at home.

‘Nail technicians are particularly at risk and should wear nitrile gloves when applying the products, changing them every thirty minutes with a no-touch technique.’ 

Other forms of cancer 

Nail technicians are advised to wear masks while working because they are also exposed to dangerously high levels of chemicals linked to several cancers – including squamous cell carcinoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukaemia – according to research from 2019. 

Scientists studied six salons in the US and found the air inside contained formaldehyde and other toxic compounds. 

They warned that exposure to these chemicals over a 20-year period could raise a manicurist’s cancer risk by up to 100 times. 

Researchers highlighted that this level of exposure could potentially damage the technician’s health as much as if they worked at an oil refinery or garage. 

Studies suggest these employees are at risk of asbestos exposure, as well as cancer of the stomach, oesophagus and lungs. 

While technicians are most vulnerable to the ill-effects of these toxins, they will also be a cause of concern for customers – although manicure lovers will not face the same kind of exposure. 

‘It really depends on how much time you spend in and around that environment,’ Dr Montoya, who led the study of the salons in 2017, said. ‘Customers spend a fraction of the time in salons that workers do.’