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Textile allergy is a well-established entity, but there are relatively few Australian reports in this area. To report the combined experience of textile contact dermatitis from the general and occupational contact dermatitis clinics at the Skin and Cancer Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. On the basis of the clinical suspicion of textile allergy, 2069 patients were tested with a textile series. One hundred and fifty-seven (7.6%) patients reacted to any of the textile-related allergens. The most common allergen was Basic Red 46 (20.2% of the positive reactions), followed by Disperse Blue 106 and Disperse Blue 124 (11.8% and 11.2%, respectively). Reactions to formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals accounted for 30.6% of the concomitant reactions, and reactions to p-phenylenediamine accounted for 12.6% of the concomitant reactions. The use of Disperse Blue mix yielded only 12.2% of patients sensitive to either of these two allergens, and it is not endorsed as a screening agent for textile dye allergy. Textile allergy is not uncommon. In Melbourne, Basic Red 46 in inexpensive, dark-coloured, acrylic-blend, men's work socks is the most important cause. It is important to test with samples of patients' clothing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histopathological features of the purpuric patch test have been described in individual cases only. We report a series of patients with allergic contact dermatitis, who developed purpuric patch tests at the sites of allergens from the azo dye group. 105 patients were clinically evaluated and tested with the TRUE Test and the textile color & finish series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics) because of suspected clothing dermatitis. Positive results to the latter were found in 31 patients (29.5%). In 9 of these, purpuric patch tests were observed at the sites of the allergens Disperse Blue 124, 106 and 85. 10 biopsies were performed and studied. The histopathological changes of the purpuric patch test included: spongiosis (in 90% of cases), exocytosis (70%), and dilated blood vessels (100%) without signs of vasculitis, surrounded by an inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of T lymphocytes. Extravasated erythrocytes were seen perivascularly, but also in the interstitium, surrounding the acrosyringium, at the dermoepidermal junction, and in the epidermis. Increased number of mast cells were found in 22.2% of cases. Disperse Blue 124, 106, and 85 are potent allergens that can elicit purpuric patch test reactions. The purpuric patch test in our cases was a manifestation of an allergic reaction, based not only on histopathological changes, but also on evolution and relevance of the patch tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

6 female patients with allergic contact dermatitis from textile dyes are described. Lesions were confined to areas in direct contact with the offending garment, mainly where friction and/or pressure occurred. Patch tests were positive to 2 or more disperse dyes. Thin-layer chromatography was carried out on the dyes extracted from fabrics of 3 patients, for the identification of textile dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]