Feasibility study on contact dermatitis using textile finishes

Contact Dermatitis (CD) is a skin disease which can make humans fearful of wearing certain fabrications. Formaldehyde and its compounds are the main causative agents and Nickel and Chromium also work as allergens for CD. Chemicals used in finishing processes are also identified as causative agents and Fiber types can have an effect on the disease. Symptoms of the disease were reviewed using books and previous researches in this study. Reddish blisters, itching and reddish skin are common symptoms of CD. As there is no evidence about CD in Ayurveda, Western medicine and Ayurweda were linked by matching symptoms to find the connectivity of the skin diseases. Ayurweda described about “Kshudra Kushta” which has similar symptoms to those of CD. Herbs such aswild snakegourd, white sandalwood, red sandal wood and Heart leaved Moonseed are used in Ayurveda to cure “Kshudra kushta”. Mixtures of herbs with fixing agents were applied to cotton and polyester fabrications through a natural dyeing method to find a fabric finishing method for CD. Two types of fixing agents; Copper Sulphate and Aluminum Sulphate were applied separately with different amounts to identify best recipe. The herbal mixture has a reddish colour. The mixture was tested with colour fastness to wash test ISO – 165-CO1:1987 and pH value of the olutions was also checked to study the feasibility. Cotton fabrications showed acceptable durability up to three (3) washes and polyester had poor durability. Wash durability is also dependent on the amount of fixing agents. There were slight colour changes after Copper sulphate treatment; Aluminum sulphate did not showed any colour change. It has neutral pH range. Fourteen (14) different garments which cause symptoms of CD were treated with the herbal mixture and wear trials were carried out. All garments showed positive results up to 3 domestic washes