Contact sensitization in patients with suspected textile allergy. Data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) 2007-2014

SummaryBackground Textile dyes, rubber, elements or textile resins carry the risk of inducing allergic contact sensitization. Objectives To assess clinical data and patch test results for dermatitis patients with suspected textile allergy. Methods A retrospective analysis of Information Network of Departments of Dermatology data of the years 2007–2014 of patients patch tested because of suspected textile allergy was performed. Results Patients of the study group (n = 3207) suffered more frequently from leg, trunk and generalized dermatitis than patients of the control group (n = 95210). Among the allergens of the textile dye series, the highest frequency of positive reactions was observed for p-aminoazobenzene (5.1%) and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) (4.5%), followed by Disperse Orange 3 (3.1%), Disperse Blue 124 (2.3%), Disperse Blue 106 (2.0%), Disperse Red 17 (1.1%), and Disperse Yellow 3 (1.1%), partly with concomitant reactions. Patch testing with the patients' own textiles was performed in 315 patients, with positive reactions in 18 patients. These were mostly elicited by blue or black textiles with tight skin contact. Only 2 of these patients also reacted to textile dyes from the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group series. Conclusions For the comprehensive diagnosis of contact sensitization in patients with suspected textile dermatitis, combined patch testing is indicated, with (i) PPD and a textile dye series and (ii) patients' own clothing.