Everything You Need To Know About Cloth-Related Allergies

Rashes are more common than you think – apparently, over 4% of Australians suffer from a long-term skin condition. Usually, when discussing allergies, people often think of food-related allergies, pet allergies, and medicine allergies. But did you know your clothes can be a possible cause of rashes? A variety of chemicals and materials used in clothes can cause contact dermatitis.

Some of the common causes of cloth-related allergies include:

Formaldehyde & Other Chemicals

Formaldehyde is used to keep new clothes wrinkle-free and preserve their shape. However, it could cause rashes on the sides (of the body), back, neck, thighs, etc., i.e., the parts of the clothes that rub against the skin. Formaldehyde not only triggers an allergic reaction but is also potentially carcinogenic. Sometimes, chemicals like phthalates and perfluorinated compounds used in breathable fabrics cause contact dermatitis.

Washing Powder, Fabric Cleaner, Etc.

Chemicals used in laundry detergents are likely to cause allergies and rashes. The perfumes, fragrances, and preservatives used in detergents also cause contact dermatitis. They could even irritate lung cells, causing asthma and other allergic reactions. Similarly, fabric softeners contain multiple chemicals that cause itchy skin and rashes.

Pigments

The pigments used in new clothes also cause contact dermatitis. For instance, Disperse Blue 106 is related to phenylenediamine and potentially causes an allergic reaction. Similarly, potassium dichromate used to colour clothes green causes contact dermatitis. People with pigment allergy must wash clothes more than once to remove the excess pigments. Also, avoid dark clothes; instead, wear light colours.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cloth-Related Allergy?

Cloth allergies can be mild or severe, depending on the triggers and your immune system. Contact your doctor if you experience some or all of these symptoms after wearing new or newly-washed clothes.

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Skin redness
• Scaly or itchy skin
• Blisters or lesions
• Acne
• Wheezing or breathing difficulty

At Loopys, we are committed to providing a skin-friendly, environment-friendly alternative to synthetic towels. Our Turkish towels are made using 100% organic Turkish cotton. They are free from synthetic chemicals and other preservatives, making them skin-friendly. And since our Turkish towels are prewashed, you don’t have to wash them before use.

Are you looking for Turkish towels in Australia? Visit us to choose from hundreds of Turkish towel designs.