Textile Contact Dermatitis: How Fabrics Can Induce Dermatitis

Abstract

Purpose of the review Textile dermatitis can sometimes be difficult to diagnose due to the fact that it is difficult to clinically suspect, and when allergic, patch test correctly and advice the patient as to what garments to avoid. Recent findings The textile fibres as such are rarely the causative agent. Allergic contact dermatitis due to textiles is primarily caused by substances that are used to give the material certain qualities or performances. The textile dye mix, now in the baseline series, has proven to be a useful tool in diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis but additional patch testing with own material is advocated. Future research will hopefully facilitate the diagnostic procedure. Summary This review is a short update on textile dermatitis, both irritant and allergic, the present recommendations regarding patch testing when suspecting contact allergy and the advice to give to those allergic that will hopefully help the clinician in daily work.

Formaldehyde-Induced Contact Dermatitis From an N95 Respirator Mask

“…Some researchers have proposed that using materials that are free of allergens like formaldehyde might be a long-term solution to the development of contact dermatitis. 15,33 Formaldehyde is used in the finishing process of N95 masks for wrinkle and crease resistance and to prevent mildew. It is possible that formaldehyde could be completely removed from the manufacturing process, although no studies on the effects of such alternatives on mask efficacy have been performed.…”

Do not lose sleep over mask allergic contact dermatitis

“… 4 , 5 The offending component within the face mask textile fabric may not be obvious; however, textile fibers can serve as substrates for allergenic additives, such as dyes and antiwrinkling agents that release formaldehyde. 6 Face mask allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by formaldehyde releasers has been noted previously. 7 Complete allergen avoidance may not be feasible for all health care workers who develop face mask ACD.…”

Bikini textile contact dermatitis: A Sherlockian approach revealing 2,4‐dichlorophenol as a potential textile contact allergen

“…Fabrics can contain many chemical compounds, for example substances used in the processing of textile dyes, resins, and tanning agents, among many others 1 . Some of these chemicals are used to provide textile materials with certain qualities, but, unfortunately, they can also be the cause of both allergic and irritant TCD 3 . Historically, disperse dyes (DDs) have been considered as the leading cause of TCD.…”

“…Textile contact dermatitis (TCD) occurs when a patient's skin develops a reaction to the fabrics it touches 1 . As with any other contact dermatitis, this can be irritant or, more frequently, allergic in nature 2,3 …”