Levi’s Men’s 501 Jean | Allergies, Reactions

Levi’s Men’s 501 Jean | Allergies, Reactions

Nickel dermatitis has been observed from the metal hardware in some form of clothes. The
most common is the metal button on blue jeans. Before panty hose stockings were invented
in the late 1960s, nickel dermatitis from garter belts was more common. Other materials
known to cause dermatitis include chemicals used in processing leather shoes and belts such
as dyes, chromium and formaldehyde tanning agents and glue products.
Contaminated clothing can result in skin rashes. Clothing that is contaminated with oils,
greases, coal tar, pitch or creosote can cause acne and folliculitis from occlusion, heat and
friction. This problem is common in auto mechanics, roofers, asphalt paving workers and
workers in the oil indus try and coal tar plants (16). Pesticide residues that have soaked
clothing or footwear can result in severe dermatitis (17, 18). Solvent-soaked clothing can
cause severe chemical burns. Hands contaminated with chemicals before putting on
occlusive, protective gloves can also result in severe irritant dermatitis. Urushiol, an oil in
poison oak and ivy plants, can leave a residue on clothing and shoes. If the oil is not removed
from the clothing by laundering or washing the shoes with soap and water, allergic contact
dermatitis can result from handling or wearing the clothing and footwear (19).
Fine metallic dust particles such as antimony trioxide and arsenic trioxide that are capable of
imbedding into the clothing fabric can result in irritant skin reactions (20, 21). When there is
sweat combined with the metallic dust particles, pruritic, erythematous, papular lesions
develop where the clothing is in contact with the skin. Workers at smelting furnaces where
there is high heat, dust and using heavy protective clothing are susceptible to these irritant
rashes.
Friction from clothing can also cause a condition called intertrigo. This rash is a result of
friction and sweating in high heat situations (22). Red, macerated skin is present at the
waistband area, under the arms and the inner thighs. This rash can become secondarily
infected with yeast or bacterial organisms in hot, humid environments. The rash is more
common in heavy individuals. This skin condition can be present in workers in industries
such as foundries, farming, bakeries, restaurant kitchens and laundries where there are
extremely humid conditions in addition to high heat.
Prickly heat rash, miliaria rubra, develops when workers are not acclimated to hot
environments. Fabrics that do not breathe or dry quickly, such as synthetic fabrics, or tight
protective clothing, can become soaked with perspiration. Areas of skin covered by the
soaked clothing, especially under the arms and the trunk, develop an erythematous, papular
rash. The rash is caused by sweat retention (22, 23). The extreme heat conditions result in
swelling of the keratin protein in the sweat ducts with rupture of the ducts (22). Workers need
to be careful when miliaria rubra develops, as it is the first sign of heat stress. Showering,
changing into dry clothing and remaining in a cool, aerated environment may relieve the
pruritis. Miliaria rubra can take a week to clear. Progression of this problem to heat
exhaustion and collapse is possible if the worker is not removed from the hot environment.
Any working environment, indoors or outdoors, where there is high heat can result in miliaria.
High humidity can exacerbate the problem.

Conclusion
Dermatitis from clothing can be obvious or hard to detect. By knowing the physical exposure
factors and working environments, it may be simple to figure out the cause of the dermatitis.
Heat, humidity and friction may reveal the classic pattern of intertrigo or miliaria rubra. An
occupation where there is significant exposure and contamination of clothing with oil or
grease would produce a diagnosis of acne folliculitis. Irritant reactions to metallic dusts
require knowledge of the worker’s specific task and exposure to the dusts. Allergic reactions
to nickel metal fastene rs may be easy to detect by examining the clothing and specific
location of the dermatitis. Allergic reactions to fabric materials, dyes, formaldehyde releasers
or fire retardants are challenging and would require more investigative techniques to
determine the cause of the dermatitis. The extra work involved in correctly diagnosing the
problem could result in a satisfactory resolution of a significant problem for a worker.