CONTACT DEPIGMENTATION CAUSED BY AN AZO-DYE IN ALTA

Alta, a scarlet-red solution used by some Indian women as a cosmetic t o colour their feet, was found to be associated with depigmentation at the site of application. Chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis o f 3 brands of alta confirmed the presence of 2 dyes: Crocein Scarlet M OO (CSM) (brilliant crocein) and rhodamine B (tetraethyl rhodamine). P atch testing produced depigmentation at the site of application of alt a, CSM and para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Although PPD has been reported to produce leukoderma, azo dyes have not previously been reported as depigmenting agents. (C) Munksgaard, 1998.