title: Contact depigmentation caused by an azo dye in alta.
abstract: Alta, a scarlet-red solution used by some Indian women as a cosmetic to colour their feet, was found to be associated with depigmentation at the site of application. Chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of 3 brands of alta confirmed the presence of 2 dyes: Crocein Scarlet MOO (CSM) (brilliant crocein) and rhodamine B (tetraethyl rhodamine). Patch testing produced depigmentation at the site of application of alta, CSM and para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Although PPD has been reported to produce leukoderma, azo dyes have not previously been reported as depigmenting agents.
authors.affiliation: M.L.N. Medical College Allahabad, India.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bajaj
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chatterji
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D003358:Cosmetics; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D012235:Rhodamines; C029773:rhodamine B; C029728:4-phenylenediamine