Effect of a heat and moisture retaining mask on exercise induced asthma.

Objective-To discover the cause of an outbreak of facial rash in a holiday centre. Design-Questionnaire survey of those with rash; analysis of samples of linen. Setting-Holiday centre in south west England. Patients-98 holidaymakers presenting to the first aid post with a facial rash. Intervention-Replacement of bed linen with new linen in selected parts of the site. Results-The attack rate was 7-0-14-2/1000 for most accommodation areas in the centre, but in one accommodation area the rate was zero. The pH of rinse water from sheets varied from 7-4 to 9-0. Those parts of the accommodation provided with new linen had zero attack rates. Conclusion-The facial rash resulted from irritation from washing powder retained owing to insufficient rinsing during laundering. Modifications to the rinsing process led to a gradual disappearance of the rash.