Disperse Dye Dermatitis: Clinical Aspects and Sensitizing Agents

Reports on contact sensitization to disperse dyes are increasing, although its true incidence is not known. In fact, the diagnosis of textile contact dermatitis may be difficult because of its clinical polymorphism, including unusual clinical patterns and unexpected localizations. This review summarizes literature data referring to clinical aspects of allergic dermatitis due to disperse dyes and presents our data on this issue. Based on our findings, two different clinical subtypes of disperse dye dermatitis can be identified: an ‘eczematous’ and an ‘oedematous plaque’ type. The former is characterized by eczematous lesions in patients sensitized to disperse dyes, but frequently to other haptens too. The ‘oedematous-plaque’ type, mainly associated with disperse blue sensitization, includes unusual clinical aspects. However, its localization to skin sites of friction or sweating may induce the suspicion of a textile dye dermatitis.