title: Textile allergy--the Melbourne experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Textile allergy is a well-established entity, but there are relatively few Australian reports in this area.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of the clinical suspicion of textile allergy, 2069 patients were tested with a textile series.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Melbourne 3053, Australia.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Slodownik
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frowen
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nixon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003020:Clothing; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D013784:Textiles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D005557:Formaldehyde; C050846:basic red 46; C069319:Disperse Blue 124; C049175:disperse blue 106