Are Your Clothes Making Your Contact Dermatitis Worse?

If you suddenly develop red, itchy, and inflamed patches on your skin and can’t figure out why, it may be contact dermatitis. This condition causes an allergic reaction when certain substances come into contact with your skin.

Because contact dermatitis has many possible triggers, the causes of your flare-up may not affect the next person. For instance, certain creams or soaps might irritate you but not someone else. 

If you’ve been having recurring flare-ups and can’t figure out why, maybe it’s because of your clothes. Many people don’t realize how much their clothes can trigger or worsen contact dermatitis. 

At Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA in San Antonio and Schertz, Texas, Dr. Patricia Gomez-Dinger, a board-certified allergist, specializes in diagnosing and treating contact dermatitis. Whatever the cause, she gets to the bottom of it and helps you prevent future flare-ups.

Here, she explains how clothes can significantly trigger or aggravate your contact dermatitis. 

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis develops when your skin comes in contact with a substance that’s either an irritant or allergen. The former is typically caused by direct damage to your skin due to exposure to harsh chemicals or prolonged exposure to water.

In other cases, your immune system reacts when an allergen touches your skin, even in small amounts. Common triggers are nickel, perfumes, and some preservatives.

Symptoms of either type of contact dermatitis often include itching, redness, swelling, and in more severe cases, blistering and oozing. You can manage and prevent flare-ups by identifying and avoiding the substance triggering a reaction.

How your clothes can trigger contact dermatitis

You may not immediately finger your clothes as the culprit when you get a flare-up, but your clothes can trigger contact dermatitis in many ways. Some of the most common are:

The fabric

Certain fabrics are more likely to irritate your skin than others. For instance, synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex tend to trap heat and moisture, which can easily irritate your skin. 

In general, natural fabrics like cotton and linen are better alternatives. However, although wool is natural, it can be abrasive and cause itchiness and redness.

Dyes and chemicals

Do you like to wear vibrantly colored clothes? Many of them are made using dyes and chemicals that are common allergens. For example, azo dyes, which are popular with textile makers, are a known cause of allergic reactions.

Detergents and fabric softeners

Sometimes, the fabric isn’t the problem; it’s the detergents and fabric softeners you use on them. Many laundry products contain fragrances and chemicals that can trigger contact dermatitis.

Tight clothes

Wearing tight-fitting clothes often can cause friction against your skin, leading to irritation and making it easier for allergens to get into your skin.

How to tell whether your clothes are triggering contact dermatitis 

Keep a clothing diary if you suspect your clothes are contributing to your contact dermatitis. Track what you wear every day and note any flare-ups. Over time, you’ll be able to identify patterns that indicate whether certain detergents or fabrics are irritants.

At Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA, we offer patch testing to zero in on your allergens. Patch testing enables us to determine the exact substances causing your skin reactions.

Before buying a whole new wardrobe, consider switching to hypoallergenic detergents and skipping fabric softeners. Also, wash any new clothes before wearing them.

What are your next steps?

If you know your clothes are triggering your contact dermatitis, you have many ways to prevent flare-ups, or treat them if they develop. For starters, opt for natural, breathable fabrics like cotton, silk, and bamboo, which are less likely to irritate your skin.

Use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergents, and double-rinse your clothes to remove residues. Wear loose-fitting clothes to reduce friction against your skin and moisturize it regularly. 

Keeping your skin hydrated with fragrance-free moisturizers can strengthen your skin barrier, making it less susceptible to irritants. 

If your contact dermatitis persists despite making changes, it’s best to get professional help from our specialists at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA. Our team creates personalized treatment plans to help you manage your condition and prevent painful flare-ups.

Book an appointment with us online or call the office nearest you today.