Contact allergy to compression stockings: Is this possible?

Summary

In the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency or lymphoedema, compression stockings are standard therapy. Nevertheless, patient compliance is relatively low. One reason for this are symptoms such as itching, burning or redness, which are considered by patients, but also frequently by attending physicians, as an allergy to the compression stockings. The review covers the basics of contact allergies, shows how often allergies to compression stockings occur and what the causes are, and briefly describes the common differential diagnoses, their causes and prevention.

Keywords

Compression stockings - contact allergy - latex allergy - irritant contact dermatitis - textile allergy

• References

• 1 Partsch H, Flour M, Smith PC. Indications for compression therapy in venous and lymphatic disease consensus based on experimental data and scientific evidence. Under the auspices of the IUP. Int Angiol 2008; 27: 193-219.
• 2 Nüllen H, Noppeney T. Kompressionstherapie nach invasiven Maßnahmen in der Phlebologie. Phlebologie 2011; 40: 15-19.
• 3 Stout N. et al. Chronic edema of the lower extremities: international consensus recommendations for compression therapy clinical research trials. Int Angiol 2012; 31: 316-329.
• 4 Reich-Schupke S. et al. Quality of life and patients’ view of compression therapy. Int Angiol 2009; 28: 385-393.
• 5 Duque MI. et al. Itch, pain, and burning sensation are common symptoms in mild to moderate chronic venous insufficiency with an impact on quality of life. J Am Acad Dermatol 2005; 53: 504-508.
• 6 Niebuhr M, Kapp A, Werfel T. Allergien der Haut. In: Heppt W, Bachert K. (eds.). Praktische Allergologie. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2011: 64-77.
• 7 Averbeck M, Gebhardt C, Emmrich F. et al. Immunologische Grundlagen der Allergien. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2007; 11: 1115-1128.
• 8 Martin SF. Immunologie der Kontaktallergie. Hautarzt 2011; 62: 739-734.
• 9 Reich-Schupke S. et al. Patch testing in patients with leg ulcers with special regard to modern wound products. Hautarzt 2010; 61: 593-597.
• 10 Freise J. et al. Contact sensitization in patients with chronic wounds. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008; 22: 1203-1207.
• 11 Zmudzinska M. et al. Contact allergy in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Contact Dermatitis 2006; 54: 100-105.
• 12 Lehnen M. et al. Contact allergies in patients with chronic wounds. Hautarzt 2006; 57: 303-308.
• 13 Scharffetter-Kochanek K, Schüller J, Meewes C. et al. Chronic venous venous ulcus cruris. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2003; 1: 58-67.
• 14 Gallenkemper G, Schultz-Ehrenburg U. Kontaktallergisierung bei chronisch venöser Insuffizienz. Phlebologie 1999; 28: 27-39.
• 15 Thomas PRS. et al. White cell accumulation in dependent legs of patients with venous hypertension. Br Med J 1988; (18) 296: 1693-1695.
• 16 Klode D, Grabbe S, Dissemond J. Allergisches Kontaktekzem als seltene Ursache eines Ulcus cruris. Phlebologie 2005; 34: 109-111.
• 17 Basketter DA, Gerberick F, Kimber I. The local lymph node assay and the assessment of relative potency. Contact Dermatitis 2007; 57 (02) 70-75.
• 18 Bahmer FA. Bedeutung lokaler Faktoren für die Entstehung kontaktallergischer Reaktionen bei Patienten mit chronisch venöser Insuffizienz. Z Hautkr 1987; 62: 1662-1664.
• 19 Thomä HJ. Die Materialien. In: Reich-Schupke S, Stücker M. Moderne Kompressionstherapie. Köln: Viavital; 2013: 17-19.
• 20 Dooms-Goossens A. et al. Contact urticaria due to nylon. Contact Dermatitis 1986; 14: 63
• 21 Nettis E. et al. Type I allergy to natural rubber latex and type IV allergy to rubber chemicals in health care workers with glove-related skin symptoms. Clin Exp Allergy 2002; 32: 441-447.
• 22 Cravo M, Gonçalo M, Figueiredo A. Allergic contact dermatitis to rubber-containing bandages in patients with leg ulcers. Contact Dermatitis 2008; 58: 371-372.
• 23 Hann S, Hughes TM, Stone NM. Self-adherent wrap bandages- a hidden source of natural rubber latex. Contact dermatitis 2006; 55: 194-195.
• 24 Pratt M, Taraska V. Disperse blue dyes 106 and 124 are common causes of textile dermatitis and should serve as screening allergens for this condition. Am J Contact Dermat 2000; 11: 30-41.
• 25 Moreau L, Goossens A. Allergic contact dermatitis associated with reactive dyes in a dark garment: a case report. Contact Dermatitis 2005; 53: 150-4.
• 26 Malinauskiene L, Zimerson E, Bruze M. et al. Are allergenic disperse dyes used for dyeing textiles?. Contact Dermatitis 2012; 67: 141-148.
• 27 Murmann F. Nebenwirkungen der Kompressionstherapie. In: Reich-Schupke S, Stücker M. Moderne Kompressionstherapie. Köln: Viavital; 2013: 45-52.
• 28 Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverbände (Hrsg). Neues Rezeptur-Formularium (NRF). Stuttgart: Deutscher Apothekerverlag; 2003
• 29 Reich-Schupke S. Praktische Hinweis. In: Reich-Schupke S, Stücker M. Moderne Kompressionstherapie. Köln: Viavital 2013; 152-164.
• 30 Strese H, Kuck M, Benken R. et al. Influence of finishing textile materials on the reduction of skin irritations. Skin Res Technol 2013; 19: e409-416.
• 31 Ricci G. et al. Silk fabrics in the management of atopic dermatitis. Skin Therapy Lett 2012; 17: 5-7.
• 32 Lazarov A. Textile dermatitis in patients with contact sensitization in Israel. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2004; 18: 531-537.