Is Hair Dyed With Para-phenylenediamine Allergenic?

Abstract

Twenty individuals who had suffered from allergic contact dermatitis from p-phenylenediamine and had had strongly positive patch test reactions to this dye were recalled for patch testing with hair that had been dyed 24 hours previously with p -phenylenediamine. The patch test procedure was repeated in three weeks. None of the 20 p -phenylenediamine-sensitive individuals showed any reaction to the dyed hair, either after 48 hours or at the end of three weeks. p -Phenylenediamine-sensitive individuals can come in intimate contact with hair and furs colored with this dye without risking dermatitis since the oxidized p -phenylenediamine is not allergenic. This fact is of importance to p -phenylenediamine-sensitive individuals who are hair dressers and beauticians who may be exposed to hair colored with this dye.