Badania włókien i tekstyliów w aspekcie ich właściwości alergennych

Abstract

The research was conducted to analyse the factors determining the allergenic properties of textiles. Attention was focused on identifications of the causes of contact hypersensitivity induced by fibres and textiles, in the aspect of effect exerted by chemical structure of the fibre material, as well as by its morphological and macroscopic structure – as a mechanical skin-irritating factor.The study was carried out on natural protein fibres: wool and natural silk, as well as synthetic ones –polyacrylnitrile fibres, used as wool substitute in textile products, and polyamide fibres – used as natural silk substitute. The allergenic effect of fibres and textiles were also analysed in the aspect of potential changes in fibre material structure and surface characteristics as a result of exposure to extrinsic factors. Such factors as natural excretion of the human organism, referred to as suint, including acid and alkaline sweat, sebum and effect of exposure to sunlight (UV radiation), heat and humidity were also taken into consideration.The study addressed also the possibility of allergenic effect of textiles as a medium favourable for the development of house dust mites.Contact hypersensitivity of the skin induced by fibres and textiles was assessed on the basis of a dermal irritation test – in direct contact of fibres and textiles with the patient’s skin, and with ELISA immunoenzymatic method – used to determine the concentration of Der p1 antigen in dust extracts obtained from fibres and textiles.