Occupational dermatoses from colour developing agents. Clinical and histopathological observations.

Exposure to colour developing agents that are derivatives of p-phenylenediamine, e.g. CD-2 and CD-3, are known to cause lichenoid lesions and allergic contact dermatitis. This study describes the clinical picture, course and patch test results in 24 patients with occupational skin disease caused by colour developing agents. Biopsies for histopathology of the occupationally-induced lesions and/or patch test reactions were obtained in 14 cases. The skin lesions cleared rapidly after exposure to colour developers had ceased. Sixteen patients had to leave their exposed work due to the skin disease. Contact allergy to colour developing agents was found in 23 cases. The clinical and histopathological findings showed that lichen planus and lichen planus-like lesions were common among the dermatoses caused by colour developers. It was not possible to provoke lichenoid lesions by patch testing. The histopathology of the patch test reactions showed dermatitis.