Korean J Dermatol.  1974 Mar;12(1):9-12.

Patch Test to Silk Industry Workers

• Cho BK
• Kim CW
• Houh W

Abstract

Hand dermatitis of silk industry workers had been a troublesome problern for a long time. It was said the cause was due to toxic reaction by denatured pupae and physical reaction from high water temperaturc. During Augnst and September 1973, patch test was performed with pupa and cocoon to 680 workers in 4 separate silk factories in order to persue the factors which may cause their hand dermatitis. Among 475 workers who had performed first patch test, only 12 workers in one of four factories showed positive reaction in pupa and we came to know that only that factory had used formalin in order to protect denaturation of pupae and cocoons. Second patch test with pupa and 1% formalin was repeated to 130 subjects including 6 of 12 positive cases in the first pateh test. Five Subjects shosved positive reaction in pupa, also 5 in 1% formalin and 2 of them showed positive reaction in both pupa and 1% formalin. In the second patch test, 3 of 6 who had been positive in pupa at first patch test were positive at pupa. It seemed to be that toxic or allergic theory is not enough to explain clearly the cause of hand dermatitis in silk industry workers. Further stucly is necessarv to elucidate how the silk fiber, water temperature and parasites in the pupa and cocoon contribute to the hand dermmatitis.

MeSH Terms

Dermatitis
Formaldehyde
Hand
Parasites
Patch Tests*
Pupa
Silk*
Formaldehyde
Silk