Evaluation of Skin Irritancy by a Fiber -A Comparative Study between the Visual Evaluation and Replica Method -

Abstract

There are two common methods of evaluating skin irritancy caused by a product : the closed patch testing and the nitrocellulose-replica method (Kawai method). In the research, the evaluation of skin irritancy caused by a fiber treated with softeners was carried by out using the above-mentioned methods. As a result, the closed patch testing dose not reveal differences in skin irritancy resulting from the kind and the concentration of the treating agent to be used, and the difference of material. On the other hand, the Kawai method reveals differences caused by these factors, which made it possible to evaluate differences in skin irritancy. The Kawai method enables us to evaluate skin irritancy from subtle changes in the surface of the skin (B-stage, C-stage) to an inflammatory response such as erythema (D-stage). Therefore, it is thought that the Kawai method is more suitable for evaluating slight skin irritancy for textile products.