Bikini textile contact dermatitis: A Sherlockian approach revealing 2,4-dichlorophenol as a potential textile contact allergen

Abstract

Background: Different textile constituents may act as allergens and/or irritants and provoke textile contact dermatitis (TCD).

Objectives: To report a case of TCD caused by ethylene glycol monododecyl ether and 2,4-dichlorophenol, present in a bikini.

Methods: A woman presented with an eczematous, pruritic rash in the area of the bikini straps and back. Patch testing was performed with the European baseline, textile, sunscreen, and photo-patch series, the bikini "as is", and ethanol and acetone extracts of the bikini. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of the extracts and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis were used to elucidate the culprit agents.

Results: Positive reactions were found to the bikini "as is" and to the ethanol and acetone extracts. Patch testing with TLC strips showed a strong reaction to spots-fractions 3 and 4. GC-MS was performed to identify substances in each fraction and those suspected to be skin sensitisers were patch tested. On day (D) 4 positive reactions to ethylene glycol monododecyl ether (irritant reaction) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (++) were observed.

Conclusion: A myriad of chemical compounds can be found in clothing. Ethylene glycol monododecyl ether and 2,4-dichlorophenol were identified as the potential culprits of this bikini TCD.

Keywords: 2,4-dichlorophenol; allergic contact dermatitis; ethylene glycol monododecyl ether; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; irritant contact dermatitis; patch test; textile contact dermatitis; thin-layer chromatography.