Possible Eczematous Cross-Hypersentitivity Between Paraphenylenediamine and Azo-Dyes Certified for Use in Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics.

ConclusionSkin tests with certain certified food dyes in patients sensitive to paraphenylenediamine suggest that eczematous hypersensitivity to paraphenylenediamine may not only cross over to azo-dyes used for the dyeing of leather and fabrics, or in ointments, but also to certain azo-dyes certified by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 for use in foods, drugs and cosmetics. The implications of these findings are discussed.