I suffered from a skin allergy that lasted for more than ten years before my condition recently improved. Throughout that period, I went through a lot of hardship, spent a large amount of money, and consulted nearly ten doctors in both public and private hospitals in more than three countries.
In the beginning, I managed the condition with standard creams, but it eventually progressed to cortisone ointments, which did not provide any real or lasting improvement. I was terrified when a retired dermatologist told me that most skin diseases tend to improve for a period of time and then recur, especially after my condition worsened and developed into a red rash, inflammation, and a fungal infection, accompanied by constant itching and severe pain, particularly while walking. Because of these symptoms, I was unable to sleep properly at night.
The last doctor I consulted was Dr. Ibrahim Al-Aradi, a dermatology consultant, who guided me onto the right path, which I then followed on my own based on his advice. I am deeply grateful to him.
Many people enjoy wearing new clothes, especially when they are bright and attractive. Others prefer to wash new clothes before wearing them, regardless of how appealing they look, believing they may have been handled by many people, some of whom may not have had clean hands or may have carried substances that could trigger allergies.
Dr. Susan Macek, a dermatologist at Ohio State University, says it is common for patients to report skin reactions to new clothes, especially in areas prone to friction such as the armpits, groin, waist, and neck. In general, new clothes may contain materials that can irritate the skin or trigger allergic reactions. Dust and dirt can also accumulate during storage, handling, or while garments are being tried on.
One of the most common causes of irritation is the chemicals used in textile manufacturing. Many clothes are treated with various substances, such as fungicides, chemical finishes, and perfumes, to reduce wrinkles, extend their lifespan, and resist stains and mold. Although not all of these substances cause allergic reactions, dyes are a common trigger, especially azo dyes, which are frequently used on synthetic fabrics such as polyester.
The use of formaldehyde to prevent wrinkles, pesticide residues commonly found in cotton clothing, and added perfumes can cause a red, itchy rash at the points of direct contact. Infants are particularly vulnerable. Washing clothes before wearing them can help remove some potential irritants, such as excess dyes, perfumes, and formaldehyde.
However, washing does not eliminate all harmful chemicals completely. Many of these substances can irritate the skin, including flame retardants and antimicrobial treatments used to prevent odors in some sportswear, which are designed to remain on the garment even after repeated washing.
People who are sensitive to these chemicals may experience allergic reactions regardless of how often the clothes are washed. For dry-clean-only garments, steaming or airing them out before wearing them for the first time may help reduce some perfumes or other odors. However, this is unlikely to be effective for more durable finishes, such as wrinkle-resistant fabrics, stain-resistant treatments, and some high-performance coatings. Dr. Macek suggested wearing a barrier layer, such as a thin cotton shirt, under new clothes that cannot be washed.
While writing this article and reviewing sources, I realized that my skin irritations were likely caused by cotton underwear and socks that I repeatedly purchased in Egypt. We hope that dermatologists will advise their patients about the potential risks of wearing new clothes, especially those that come into direct contact with the skin, before washing them.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
