Polyester found in clothing can cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is frequently used in fabric items such as clothing, linens or swimsuits. A polyester allergy is defined as allergic contact dermatitis when the skin gets red, itchy, and swollen due to exposure to polyester, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD.) Allergic contact dermatitis is similar to other types of rashes and ultimately makes self-diagnosis difficult. Therefore, it's vital for specialized physicians, such as dermatologists, to study all materials that touch the patient to identify polyester as the allergen source.
Skin Tests
Skin tests are used to identify substances that may be causing an allergic reaction. WebMD reports that there are three skin tests used to determine the allergen: scratch tests, intradermal tests and patch tests. In most cases of allergic contact dermatitis, the AAD states that patch tests are the safest and easiest way to diagnose contact allergies.
A patch test is a simple procedure that applies small amounts of the possible common allergens to the skin on strips of tape. Two days later the tape is removed. If a small red spot appears at the site of the patch, the test is deemed positive.
PPD and Textile Dye Dermatitis
Paraphenylene-diamine, or PPD, is a widely used ingredient found in permanent hair dyes. Although PPD is rarely found in clothing, other dyes found in polyester may cross-react with PPD to cause an allergic reaction. People allergic to PPD should stay away from polyester or any other synthetic fibers.
Although allergic contact dermatitis to textile dyes in polyester is not common, the true incidence remains unknown due to insufficient patch tests. Edwin K. Joe, M.D. writes in the Dermatology Online Journal that allergens specific for textile dyes are not frequently included in patch testing. He goes on to say that disperse blue 106 and 124 are both excellent screening allergies for identifying a polyester allergy.
Symptoms
Some of the more common symptoms that accompany a polyester allergy are a red rash on the legs, severe itching, hives and skin abrasions. People with eczema or sensitive skin should avoid polyester to prevent further skin irritation and discomfort.
Polyester Allergy Relief
There is currently no cure for a polyester allergy, but certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can help ease the symptoms. Antihistamines, steroid creams, frequent washing, calamine lotions, wet compresses and cool baths are all successful allergic contact dermatitis treatments.
Prevention
The best way to prevent an allergic response is to avoid any product containing polyester. This can be difficult due to the prevalence of the synthetic fiber in clothing and linens; however, plenty of other materials like cotton and silk are available as nonirritating options.
