An Outbreak of Irritative Textile Dermatitis due to Protective Cloth

Abstract

Due to the irritative or sensitizing potential, in contact with skin, textile materials may induce inflammation processes resulting with the so called «textile dermatitis». In this paper the authors investigated the cause of skin eruptions connected with wearing of protective clothing in a group of female industrial workers. The residual content of detergents after washing was determined in samples of protective clothing, and toxicological assessment of possible health effects of washing powders and also chemicals included in the manufacturing process to which the workers were exposed, was performed. At six workers with skin eruptions, medica) examination and skin patch test with European standard series of contact allergens as well as with textile samples from protective cloth, was carried out. The results showed that the cause of skin changes was irritative contact dermatitis caused by chemical irritation due to the residual alkali in clothing after washing process and by mechanical irritation (friction of clothing on skin). The adequate dosage of detergents and other alkali components during the washing, proper rinsing and neutralization of alkali from detergents and routine control of pH in the water extract of washed cloth are the effective measures that could prevent the skin irritation.