Chemicals and Textiles

This literature review traces the occurrence of dermatological problems caused by textile fibers and dyes, with the focus on consumer rather than occupational exposure. Wool, silk, nylon, fiberglass, spandex, and rubber have a role in cumulative insult, allergic contact, atopic, or contact urticaria dermatitis. Thirty-one dyes, mainly disperse with anthraquinone or azo structures, cause allergic contact dermatitis. Phototoxic dye dermatitis is rare. Dermatological information necessary to understand the kind of dermatitis and characteristic skin eruptions has been included. The sensitization process is described. Incidence rates can only be deduced from studying scattered reported incidences. Until predictive testing is done, the extent of fiber and dye caused skin problems will remain unknown.