Textiles are made from synthetic or natural fibers, or both. Generally, the actual fibers are not allergenic; rather, the dyes used to color the fabrics , chemicals & finishing resins used to make textiles wrinkle-resistant, shrink-proof, water & stain repellent are the responsible. Other possible allergens include rubber additives, metals (nickel and chrome), glues, biocides, and fire retardants. Textile Finish Resins release formaldehyde and may provoke allergic reactions.Textile dye allergy occurs more frequently in countries with a warm climate. This may be due to people sweating more in warmer climates and, as a consequence, greater bleeding of textile dyes.
Many different chemical substances are used to dye textiles. The chemical dyes that belong to a group called azo dyes are the most allergenic .The most common sensitizers belong to the disperse dye application class .Disperse blue 106 and disperse blue 124, disperse orange 3 and disperse red 17 have been reported to cause an allergic contact dermatitis to a variety of garments, which include underwear, blouses, pants, swimming suits, pantyhose, shoulder pads, and the velvet material of leggings and body suits.
Allergenic disperse dyes (around 19 substances) and carcinogenic dyes(around 10 substances) are banned in textile materials with skin contact to skin.
Nickel and its compounds may pierce the skin and the nickel migration may induce risk to human health. Therefore, all articles that may have contact with skin are forbidden to plate nickel, including dress accessories such as buttons and slide fastener.
Frequency of spreading:
The distribution of the dermatitis is often widespread, usually corresponding to areas that come into contact with clothing. Often, the dermatitis is worse in areas with increased friction and sweating. In men, this is often the collar area on the neck. In women, this includes the axillary folds, vulva, and suprapubic area. In both sexes, the waistband area, upper thighs, popliteal fossae, and buttocks are commonly involved.
symptoms:
The main symptom is eczema. The skin is itchy, red and swollen with spots or bumps and possibly also blisters. The eczema usually starts where the clothing has the closest contact with the skin. For example, if the dye of a shirt or blouse is causing the eczema, the inflammation will appear around the armpits and the neck. Hand eczema is also a symptom, especially if contact with the dyes is work-related.
Dermatologist Suggestion:
Avoidance of tight synthetic spandex or lycra clothing,100 percent polyester lining and nylon stockings. Patients should wear 100 percent natural-based fabrics (i.e cotton, linen, silk, wool) with snow white color, 100 percent silk long-sleeved undershirts and slip pants and loose-fitting clothing, all of which should be washed three times prior to wearing.
Many different chemical substances are used to dye textiles. The chemical dyes that belong to a group called azo dyes are the most allergenic .The most common sensitizers belong to the disperse dye application class .Disperse blue 106 and disperse blue 124, disperse orange 3 and disperse red 17 have been reported to cause an allergic contact dermatitis to a variety of garments, which include underwear, blouses, pants, swimming suits, pantyhose, shoulder pads, and the velvet material of leggings and body suits.
Allergenic disperse dyes (around 19 substances) and carcinogenic dyes(around 10 substances) are banned in textile materials with skin contact to skin.
Nickel and its compounds may pierce the skin and the nickel migration may induce risk to human health. Therefore, all articles that may have contact with skin are forbidden to plate nickel, including dress accessories such as buttons and slide fastener.
Frequency of spreading:
The distribution of the dermatitis is often widespread, usually corresponding to areas that come into contact with clothing. Often, the dermatitis is worse in areas with increased friction and sweating. In men, this is often the collar area on the neck. In women, this includes the axillary folds, vulva, and suprapubic area. In both sexes, the waistband area, upper thighs, popliteal fossae, and buttocks are commonly involved.
symptoms:
The main symptom is eczema. The skin is itchy, red and swollen with spots or bumps and possibly also blisters. The eczema usually starts where the clothing has the closest contact with the skin. For example, if the dye of a shirt or blouse is causing the eczema, the inflammation will appear around the armpits and the neck. Hand eczema is also a symptom, especially if contact with the dyes is work-related.
Dermatologist Suggestion:
Avoidance of tight synthetic spandex or lycra clothing,100 percent polyester lining and nylon stockings. Patients should wear 100 percent natural-based fabrics (i.e cotton, linen, silk, wool) with snow white color, 100 percent silk long-sleeved undershirts and slip pants and loose-fitting clothing, all of which should be washed three times prior to wearing.
