Kathryn L. Hatch

Textile dye dermatitis

The literature concerning textile dye dermatitis published during the last decade was reviewed. Sixty-one cases of dye-allergic contact dermatitis in which the presentation or course of the dermatitis was unusual or the dye allergen was one not previously reported have been described. The four new dye allergens discovered were Disperse Blue 106, Disperse Blue 85, Disperse Brown 1, and Basic Red 46. The incidence of dye dermatitis varied from 1% to 15.9% depending on the country, patient sample, and number of dyes in the patch test series. The 10 new dye allergens discovered in these studies were Disperse Blue 153, Disperse Orange 13, Basic Black 1, Basic Brown 1, the acid dyes Supramine Yellow and Supramine Red, the direct dye Diazol Orange, the basic dye Brilliant Green, Turquoise Reactive, and Neutrichrome Red. Disperse Blue 106 and Disperse Blue 124 were shown to be the strongest clothing dye sensitizers to date. Standard screening patch test series were found to be inadequate for the detection of textile dye sensitivity; therefore textile dye patch test series should be used. It is difficult to determine whether the incidence of dye dermatitis is increasing or decreasing because controlled epidemiologic studies are lacking, but data suggest that textile dye sensitivity is more common than previously believed.

Textile dye allergic contact dermatitis prevalence

This article summarizes textile dye prevalence studies and makes recommendations for advancing knowledge about textile‐dye sensitization. Prevalence data is provided by study and by dye. Dermatology teams are encouraged to conduct textile‐dye prevalence studies in countries other than Italy, include dyes for which the least prevalence data has been collected, to standardize method of application and reading, and to verify purity and identity of dyes used for patch testing. Testing with pure dyes and other chemicals in dye formulations should provide insights in choosing dye systems that will decrease sensitization.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part I: Thermophysiological Comfort Determinations for Three Experimental Knit Fabrics

Using a modified Kawabata Thermolabo apparatus housed in a controlled envi ronmental chamber, we obtained measurements of heat transfer through a specially selected set of jersey knit textile fabrics. We then used analytical models to compute thermal comfort limits based on the experimental values and predetermined estimates of human metabolic activity. The jersey knit fabrics differed primarily on the basis of fiber content: the comparisons were between two knits, both made with 100% polyester fibers of different deniers, and a 100% cotton fabric. This research confirms the results of several previous studies that fabric structural features, not component fibers, are the most important controllers of thermal dissipation in the presence of moisture diffusion. Our results also show that heat transfer is highly related to fabric thickness, bulk density, and air volume fraction. Thermal transfer from a simulated sweating skin surface is strongly correlated with fabric porosity and air permeability.

Influence of wetness on the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of textiles: in vitro and in vivo measurements

Background/Purpose: Clothing is an important product for sunburn protection and skin cancer prevention. The moisture content of a fabric, which can increase during its wearing, may decrease the fabrics capability of protecting the skin from solar UV radiation, that is, lower its UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). Due to limited data about the effect of fabric wetness on UPF, this study was undertaken to investigate the following: (a) the effect of saturating a variety of fabrics with tap water and with salt water on fabric UPF and (b) whether wetted‐fabric UPF values reflect only the fact that the fabric is wet during testing or the fact that the skin is hydrated and the fabric is wet.

Textile chemical finish dermatitis

Chemicals used on fabrics to improve 10 different performance characteristics have resulted in irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. The most significant problem is due to formaldehyde and N‐methylol compounds to produce durable press fabrics. Little is known about incidence of finish dermatitis or mode and amount of transfer of chemicals from fabric to skin.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part II: Mechanical and Surface Related Comfort Property Determinations for Three Experimental Knit Fabrics'

Our analyses using Kawabata instruments confirmed significant differences in phys ical and thermal properties of cotton and polyester single jersey knit fabrics. We at tributed observed differences in fabric physical properties to differences between cotton and polyester fibers and in the fineness of component fibers. We judged comparisons to be useful in forecasting tactile comfort and explaining subjective sensations associated with fabric/skin contact.

Protection of Humans from Ultraviolet Radiation through the Use of Textiles: A Review

One of the growing concerns of the present decade is the health risk associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and its link with problems such as carcinogenesis, cataracts, sunburn, and photoaging. For protection from UVR, medical experts recommend avoiding exposure, using sunscreens, donning hats, and covering up with clothing. Research on the solar-protective value of clothing, however, still leaves many questions unanswered. This review of literature identifies the need for appropriate protection from the sun, especially for children, and the benefits of clothing as protection. The methods and difficulties associated with assessing the UVR protection and the definition of the sun protection factor (SPF) of clothing are outlined and discussed. Studies using in vivo, radiometric, and spectrophotometric methodologies to assess the UVR transmission throughfabrics are examined. Fabric variables, identified in the literature, that have beenfound to affect UVR transmission values are discussed.

Textile dermatitis: an update. (I). Resins, additives and fibers.

Cases of textile‐related dermatitis reported in the medical literature after the mid‐1980s are reviewed. Part I focuses on cases in which textile resins, fiber additives, or fibers were the causal agent. Studies which provide insight into understanding fabric‐induced prickle and itch are included.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part III: Water Content and Blood Flow in Human Skin Under Garments Worn by Exercising Subjects in a Hot, Humid Environment

We studied stratum corneum water content, water evaporation from the skin surface, capillary blood flow, and skin temperature under three different garments worn by ten female subjects exercising and resting in a hot, humid environment (29.4°C, 75% RH). Single jersey knit fabrics made from 100% 1.5 denier polyester, 100% 3.5 denier polyester, or 100% cotton were made into long sleeve T-shirts and pants. Measures of stratum corneum water content using a microwave probe, evaporative water loss using an Evaporimeter, capillary blood flow using a laser Doppler velocimetry instrument, as well as skin temperature, were assessed on the upper back at four times during the wear protocol. An analysis of variance showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the noninvasive skin measurements under the three fabrics. Statistically significant differences in the skin measurements did occur as the kind of activity differed during the wear protocol. Results are discussed in terms of the fabric thermal and mechanical data presented in Parts I and II of this series.

In Vivo Cutaneous and Perceived Comfort Response to Fabric Part IV: Perceived Sensations to Three Experimental Garments Worn by Subjects Exercising in a Hot, Humid Environment'

We report on the perceived comfort data collected while ten female subjects exercised in the hot, humid environment ( 29.4°C, 75% RH) wearing garments made from the three experimental knit fabrics. These findings are related to the fabric thermophys iological comfort data reported in Part I, the mechanical and surface related comfort data in Part II, and the skin alteration data in Part III of this series. At four times during the wear protocol (after acclimation, after 10 minutes of wear, after 40 minutes of exercise, and after 20 minutes of rest following exercise), subjects were asked to indicate overall comfort and thermal, wetness, and contact sensations. There was no difference between the fabrics for wetness or thermal sensation, a result explainable in terms of the extremely small differences in water and heat transport data reported in Part I. The thermal insulation, permeability index, and comfort limit values we calculated predict that differences in perceived thermal and wetness sensation should be minimal. Skin temperature was a significant determinant of perceived thermal comfort in our regression model, but capillary blood flow was not. The regression model for wetness sensation showed that stratum corneum water content and evaporative water loss were statistically significant determinants. Use of wetness-related and contact sensation descriptors differed for the three experimental fabrics. Differences in the wetness-related descriptors appear related to the percent water uptake of the fabrics during exercise. Fiber denier and fabric mechanical and surface feature data were useful in explaining the difference in contact sensations. The fabrics differed in perceived overall comfort. In the regression analysis, capillary blood flow was the only physio logical factor with a statistically significant effect on overall comfort. We suspect a link between the mechanical and surface features and capillary blood flow.