Whether it be bed sheets or clothes, we always encounter an assortment of textiles, wrapping ourselves in it through various means about 98% of the time. As you may be aware, some of these materials can irritate and others can be quite helpful for providing relief and comfort to the sensitive skin of ours. Throughout the years, the trial and error of which materials that serve me and could be of detriment to me have helped shaped a solid understanding of textiles and why they should not be overlooked for those suffering with eczema. Being able to understand the role that textiles play in the management of skin care in relation to eczema, I hope that this can provide some added knowledge. Although not many studies have been done regarding the use of fabrics and textiles in relation to the improvement or exacerbation of eczema, I want to shed some light on the importance it plays in your everyday life.

Choose the right fabrics if you have eczema. Cotton is the top option and the most commonly recommended textile for people with atopic dermatitis. Cotton is soft, cool, great at absorbing sweat, easily washable and allows the skin to ‘breathe’. Cotton rich blends can contain a significant proportion of polyester, which is a synthetic fabric that is usually derived from petroleum. For those of you who aren’t aware of what petroleum is, it is a naturally occurring liquid found beneath the earth’s surface that can be refined into fuel, it can also be converted into plastics, which created polyester. Be sure to read the labels to see what proportion of cotton is included before you buy. Bamboo is another soft, breathable material, that is more absorbent than cotton, highly effective and regulating temperature and has antibacterial properties. The bamboo in clothing is generally described as ‘bamboo viscose’ or ‘viscose derived from bamboo’. It tends to be teamed with cotton. The processing of bamboo viscose is chemically intensive and not very environmentally friendly, but the material has the properties that make bamboo an attractive option to people with eczema. Both cotton and bamboo as options for bedding and bath also can reduce the symptom severity and exacerbation of eczema.

Silk is another good regulator of body temperature that is also soft and breathable. As well as ordinary silk clothes, it is possible to buy close-fitting silk garments specifically designed for people with eczema and other skin conditions. They are usually worn underneath regular clothes. Ordinary silk clothes are less practical than cotton or bamboo: silk cannot be washed as easily, and creams are more likely to mark the fabrics. Many people with eczema find that wool and synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, cause overheating, sweating and irritation, which set off the dreaded itch. Other materials and embellishments that can irritate skin include leather, lace, sequins, fake fur, tulle, velvet and denim. Rough seams, scratchy labels, dyes and fastenings such as zips, buttons and poppers can also cause problems for sensitive skin. As well as its potential for skin irritation, people with eczema need to think about how well an item of clothing or bedding is likely to cope with cream and ointment residue, and frequent washing. There appears to be an advantage to modern fabric manufacturing and processing techniques that have created smaller, smoother fibres.

This would go against standard opinions of most doctors or dermatologists, as the natural response would be to recommend pills, ointments and even topical steroids, and don’t blame yourself or the professionals for this advice. Only a few of the patients would tell you to divert your attention towards the properties of the textiles and how it would be helpful for sensitive skin. Although it is not the only factor in improving eczema symptoms, taking the initiative to get on top of using correct fabrics in clothing, bedding and bath can provide a small protective barrier to flare-inducing factors and persistent scratching, allowing for rapid improvement of eczematous lesions, which are the small round or oval bumps on the skin that result from nummular or discoid eczema.