If you have eczema, you may have observed that your skin goes through unexplainable phases of flare-ups at times. You did not change your skincare routine; your diet is the same, and yet the itching, redness, or dryness suddenly gets worse. What many people do not understand is that the source of the problem might be close to you in your wardrobe. Yesyour clothes, especially denim and synthetic fabrics, could be quietly making your eczema worse.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is basically a condition of the skin where the skin barrier is compromised. This means that your skin has difficulty holding moisture and being able to protect itself from irritants. As such, anything that causes friction, overheating, or prevents the skin from breathing may cause itching, redness, and flare-ups.

Denim, together with synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and spandex are usually a very common clothing material. Jeans, leggings, activewear, and even some tops are made using these materials. However, these fabrics are often not friendly to sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

Why Denims And Synthetics Worsen Eczema

Denim is a heavier and stiffer fabric with a coarse texture when compared to softer fabrics. If it is rubbed against skin prone to eczema, even in the case of mild friction, the resulting irritation and itchiness are quite likely. Besides that, new dark denim can be a source of dye, which in turn will stimulate your skin. Furthermore, it is a known fact that jeans are equipped with metal buttons and rivets, mainly nickel, which is commonly the cause of skin rashes.

On the other hand, synthetic fabrics cause a different set of problems. These materials don’t ventilate well, so they keep heat and sweat close to the skin. Sweat is one of the biggest triggers for eczema, and if it is trapped, the itching intensifies. Many synthetic clothes are also treated with chemicals to make them wrinkle-free or stain-resistant, and these chemicals can irritate sensitive skin. The fibers of synthetics may be smooth to the touch, but on a microscopic level, they can be quite rough, gradually harming the skin barrier.

What To Do Instead

The great thing is that with only small changes in your clothing, you can have a big impact on your skin. It is best to opt for clothes made of breathable, soft fabrics that can allow air to get to your skin and let sweat dry.

Pure cotton is the most advantageous among the other materials. It’s comfortable, breathable, and good for the skin. If you want to be more environmentally friendly, you can go for organic cotton that is produced without the use of any harmful chemicals. Another excellent option is silk; it is a skin-friendly fabric that is very smooth and reduces friction. Besides cotton, bamboo, lyocell, or Tencel are also great as they are soft, breathable, and good at moisture management.

Avoid wearing new clothes straight away: washing them first gets rid of leftover dyes and chemicals. In addition to choosing loose clothes rather than tight ones to lessen the friction, fragrance, free laundry detergent should be used, and fabric softeners should be skipped since they usually leave irritating residues. If you’re looking for a simple hack with nightwear, putting your pajamas inside out so that the seams don’t rub against sensitive spots can be a good idea.

Managing eczema is not only about the use of medicines but also about what comes in contact with your skin during the day. Having dermatitis that worsens continuously means you need to examine your apparel more thoroughly. It may just be that your skin is craving softer, more gentle fabrics.

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The post Did You Know Denim, Synthetic Fabrics Are Making Your Eczema Worse? first appeared on MissMalini.