Alice Lambert, NES Director of Services, discusses how to reconcile comfort with fashion Clothes when you have eczema make the (wo)man
When you have eczema, deciding what to wear is more than a sartorial or aesthetic choice. As well as ordinary silk clothes, it’s possible to buy that’s in a shop dressing room or in your own I imagine many of us have, at some point, succumbed to the temptation to wear a risky close-fitting silk garments specifically designed for home. Turn items inside out to feel whether but attractive item of clothing (perhaps given to us as a present), only to tear it off within people with eczema. These garments are usually there’s anything not immediately visible that minutes because it feels as though it’s been liberally sprinkled with itching powder. Spending worn underneath regular clothes. might irritate your skin. a day in clothes of the ‘wrong’ material or style can be a highly uncomfortable, unpleasant experience, not dissimilar to spending the day in a burlap sack or horsehair-lined straitjacket. Ordinary silk clothes (as opposed to therapeutic Style garments) are less practical than cotton or As well as its potential for skin irritation, we need to think about how well an item of clothing opt for looser clothes that allow your skin bamboo: silk can’t be washed as easily and is likely to interact with creams and ointments, whether it will cope with frequent washing, to breathe. Tight clothes may rub and make creams are more likely to mark it. and the extent to which it will inhibit scratching. you itchier. If you have to wear a tie at work, Other material considerations leave the top button of the shirt undone. Enemies of the Bamboo, another soft, breathable material, Choose clothes that give you reasonably eczematous state is more absorbent than cotton, highly effective Another material that people sometimes report easy access to itchy areas, so you can scratch at regulating temperature (keeping you cool in as being eczema-friendly is merino, which without ruining the clothes’ shape. Prime itch-inducing culprits of the material summer and warm in winter) and has antibacterial is interesting considering it’s made from the some types of clothing, particularly underwear, variety include wool and synthetic properties. dreaded wool! Superfine merino wool has a will contain synthetic material (e.g. elastane/ materials such as polyester and nylon. thinner fibre diameter than ordinary wool, spandex/lycra) for elasticity purposes. You may These textiles can cause overheating, Bamboo can be confusing – the bamboo in which means it doesn’t cause itchiness like need to compromise between the material sweating and irritation, which lead to clothing is generally described as ‘bamboo viscose’ or ‘viscose derived from bamboo’. It tends to be ordinary wool. Merino has great insulation used and the design itself, and accept that itchiness. Other fabrics that can exacerbate teamed with cotton and a proportion of elastane/ properties and does a sterling job of absorbing in order to get the style and fit that’s least eczema include sequins, leather, lace, fake spandex/lycra. The processing of bamboo viscose moisture, resisting fire and repelling liquid. irritating to your skin, you may have to work fur, tulle, velvet and denim. Rough seams, is chemical intensive and not very environmentally with a lower percentage of your desired scratchy labels, dyes and fastenings (e.g. Linen is another natural material that can friendly, but the material has the properties that material (e.g. 80% instead of 100%). Where zips, buttons and poppers) can also cause feel comfortable for people with eczema, but it make bamboo an attractive option to people with pants are concerned, deep waistbands – with problems for sensitive skin. needs to be fine linen (some linen is rough). eczema. fabric-covered elastic – tend to be preferable to The eczema-friendly triad An equally eczema-friendly option that is more Dressed to the nines thin strips of elastic, which can cut into the skin. environmentally friendly is lyocell/TENCEL™. This make the most of warm weather by wearing Shopping Cotton (preferably 100%) tends to be the is a cellulose fibre derived from bamboo or wood as few clothes as possible (depending on most commonly recommended textile for pulp in a closed-loop manufacturing system that Traipsing from overheated shop to context!). As fashion designer Cristóbal people with eczema. Cotton is soft, cool, uses less toxic chemicals and recycles almost 100% overheated shop, especially in winter when Balenciaga said, ‘Elegance is elimination’. great at absorbing sweat, easily washable of solvent in the process. you’re wearing a thick coat, and repeatedly Bare skin is less likely to itch than clothed and allows the skin to ‘breathe’. Silk conjures up images of glamour and decadence taking off and putting on clothes, can be skin, and gentle sun exposure tends to ‘Cotton rich’ blends can contain a significant – which can be unhelpful when trying to persuade an itchy experience. Online shopping is improve eczema. If you feel self-conscious proportion of polyester, so be sure to NHS England to continue to allow people with arguably an eczema-friendlier process – you about your skin, there is a wide range of read labels carefully to see exactly what eczema to obtain silk garments on prescription in just need to be prepared to send clothes stylish, 100%-cotton, spring/summer clothes proportion of cotton is included before you secondary care! Silk is another good regulator of back if they’re not satisfactory. available from different outlets, which will buy. body temperature that is also soft and breathable. take your time trying on clothes, whether hopefully boost your confidence.
26 | exchange exchange | 27 Clothes make the (wo)man Clothes make the (wo)man
Trimmings a bra altogether, especially during the ‘Fashions fade, style is eternal’ Perhaps we’ll all be walking around in clothes cut any tags or labels off, and cover thick winter months when you’re wearing more (Yves Saint Laurent) made from recycled cardboard in a few layers. It’s also possible to get plain crop years hence. And in the meantime, we can be seams with silk to stop them from causing Nowadays there’s a reasonable amount of top/bralette/sports bra-style bras that thankful that corsets and ruffs are no longer in itchiness. You might also consider wearing choice where materials, and certainly styles, are mostly made from cotton with a small vogue! clothes that not many people are going are concerned. Having eczema and enjoying to see (e.g. pyjamas) turned inside out to proportion of elastane. and expressing yourself through clothes Clothing stockists avoid chafing labels. Larger-busted women will need more heavy- shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. duty support, and unfortunately outlets in Thanks to our Facebook followers for their There are some exciting new materials in the Washing the UK that offer bras in larger sizes with a clothing tips and outlet recommendations! pipeline too... The developers of ioncell, for high proportion of cotton or silk seem to be If you have any more suggestions, especially Wash clothes after buying them before example, say their technology “turns used rarer than hens’ teeth. If cotton is the most for bras and outlets that contain fashionable wearing them, whether you buy them in textiles, pulp or even old newspapers into new important element for you, Miss Mary does a shop or online. Washing clothes before textile fibers sustainably and without harmful 100% cotton clothing for men, please let us bras with a high proportion of cotton, and wearing them will remove potentially chemicals. The process converts cellulose into know ([email protected]). wide straps. If seam-free, non-wired bras irritating excess dye and chemicals that fibers which in turn can be made into long- Most of the suggestions below also contain appeal, Bravissimo does some for larger sizes, may have been used in the production lasting fabrics.” The fibres are soft, so they clothing made from less eczema-friendly but they’re not made of cotton or silk. process or to prevent mould growing on may be comfortable for people with eczema. materials, so you may need to dig around them during shipping. Uniforms https://ioncell.fi/ the sites a bit to find what you’re looking for! softness is important to people with eczema, but fabric softeners can irritate We often hear via the Helpline and on some people’s skin! If possible, use a tumble Facebook from parents whose children’s Stockists... drier to dry clothes, as this makes them school uniforms are causing them itchy grief. softer. If you’re in this situation, we encourage you Cotton stockists • John Lewis, stores UK-wide, www.nomadsclothing.com, to ask the school if your child can wear items www.johnlewis.com mailorder clothing absorbs a certain amount of • Fat Face, stores UK-wide, of clothing that are identical to the school Cotton fashion for adults, @nomadsclothing.com emollient residue, so it’s important to 0330 124 0000, uniform but which are made from a different children and babies. Organic cotton fashion for wash clothes regularly. Adding an extra www.fatface.com, material (e.g. 100% cotton). women; cotton shirts for men. rinse cycle to your wash can make a big [email protected] • Marks & Spencer, difference. Steer clear of naked flames, as Our School Information Pack contains Adults’ organic cotton fashion stores UK-wide, • People Tree, 26 Camden High emollients are flammable. information on eczema and school uniform, • Gossypium, Enterprise Works, www.marksandspencer.com Street, London NW1 0JH, amongst other school-related issues and Beach Road, Newhaven, East Cotton fashion for adults, 020 7042 8900, Wolves in sheep’s clothing triggers, and may help you to broach Sussex BN9 0BX, 01273 514 101, children and babies. www.peopletree.co.uk, Two clothing areas can be particularly tricky the subject with the school. If you’d like a www.gossypium.co.uk, • Natural Collection, c/o Spark [email protected] for people with eczema to navigate: bras hard copy, please let us know via e-mail at [email protected] Etail Ltd, Follingsby Avenue, Organic cotton and lyocell/ (especially for women with larger busts) and [email protected] Organic cotton collection for Follingsby Park, Gateshead NE10 TENCEL™ fashion for women. uniforms. Likewise, if you’re expected to wear a adults focused on yoga wear. 8HQ, 0333 400 0463, • Spirit of Nature, c/o Spark uniform at work and it’s causing you • The Healthy House, The Old www.naturalcollection.com Etail Ltd, Follingsby Avenue, Bras discomfort, speak to your manager about the Co-op, Lower Street, Ruscombe, Organic cotton adults’ and Follingsby Park, Gateshead Where bras are concerned – in addition possibility of wearing a substitute that looks Stroud GL6 6BU, 01453 752 216, children’s clothing. NE10 8HQ, 0333 400 1800, to the materials – the straps, fastenings as similar as possible to the regular uniform www.healthy-house.co.uk, • Nomads, Nomads Clothing, www.spiritofnature.co.uk at the back and underwiring can all cause but is made from a different material. If [email protected] Priory Yard, Launceston, Organic cotton adults’ itchiness. If you have a small bust you might there’s no scope to adapt, a 100% cotton Adults’ and children’s silk gloves Cornwall PL15 8HU, and children’s clothing, find it more comfortable to go without t-shirt worn underneath can act as a barrier. and adults’ cotton gloves. 01566 777 567, and eco nappies.
28 | exchange exchange | 29 Clothes make the (wo)man Living I no longer with worry about Bamboo stockist children’s and babies’ gloves and • Miss Mary, 0800 088 57 08, • BAM Bamboo Clothing, garments. www.missmary.co.uk, [email protected] what people Airport Business Centre, Nightwear & underwear 10 Thornbury Road, Plymouth, Bras with a high proportion of , stores UK-wide, Devon PL6 7PP, 01752 581 458, • Bravissimo cotton, and wide straps. think of my 01926 459 859, www.bambooclothing.co.uk www.bravissimo.com • People Tree (see details under Adults’ bamboo viscose clothing. Bras for big busted women, ‘Cotton stockists’). eczema PhotographybyJack Silk stockists including non-wired and Women’s cotton underwear. seam-free. • Allergy Best Buys, Clientbase • ScratchSleeves, Threeways, • Classic Intimates, The Bra Sleepers Hill, Winchester, Fulfilment Ltd, Woodview Road, Ellie Marsh (21) shares her
Paignton TQ4 7SR, Shop Morecambe, 299 Marine Hampshire SO22 4ND, T experience of eczema and homson 01274 56 56 99, Road Central, Morecambe 01962 890 210, www.allergybestbuys.co.uk, LA4 5BY, 01524 426 611, www.scratchsleeves.co.uk, how dancing has taken her customerservices@ www.classicintimates.co.uk [email protected] confidence to new heights. 100% cotton women’s allergybestbuys.co.uk 100% cotton pyjamas and underwear. Therapeutic silk clothing: adults’ specially designed sleeves to help and children’s garments. • Cotton Comfort, PO Box 637, prevent scratching in babies and Wetherby Road, York YO26 0DQ, young children. • DermaSilk, Espère Healthcare 0844 245 1168, Ltd, Shefford House, 15 High www.eczemaclothing.com • Suzanne Charles, Units 22 & My eczema first started strange, but putting a handful of porridge oats Street, Shefford, Bedfordshire 100% cotton adults’ and 24, High Barns Farm, Roxton, when I was 4 months in a clean pop sock – remembering to tie the SG17 5DD, 01462 346 100, children’s nightwear, underwear, Bedford MK44 3ET, old and, quite quickly, became top in a knot! – and dropping it into a bath www.dermasilk.co.uk, gloves, socks, tights and leggings. 01234 871 901, really severe. My face, in makes the water milky and smooth. [email protected] • Gingerlily, 2 Morie Studios, www.suzannecharles.co.uk particular, was badly affected. Therapeutic silk clothing: adults’, My Mum’s greatest regret during those early 4 Morie Street, London SW18 1SL, 100% cotton women’s nightwear Red and sore, it would crack children’s and babies’ gloves years is that she held back from applying 020 8877 9905, and underwear, and men’s and bleed – which was very painful – and my and garments. as much steroid cream as she should, as www.gingerlily.co.uk, underwear. skin creases soon followed suit. she was nervous about using it on my skin. • Dreamskin © Health Limited, [email protected] There’s no history of eczema in my family and, as Consequently, she feels she put me through The Melon Ground, Hatfield Women’s silk nightwear. School uniform I’m an only child, my parents were therefore on a unnecessary pain and discomfort and regrets Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire • GreenFibres, 99 High Street, • Cotton Comfort (see details steep learning curve, caring for a new baby and not using the full amount prescribed. It does AL9 5NB, 01707 260 505, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5PF, under ‘Nightwear & underwear’). getting to grips with a challenging and incurable mean though that I know to apply steroid www.dreamskinhealth.co.uk 01803 868 001, • EcoOutfitters, 07540 374 395 condition, of which they had no experience. preparations as soon as a flare-up begins, Therapeutic silk clothing: adults’, www.greenfibres.com or 07506 568 172, I’m lucky in that all their hard work, and the rather than letting it take hold first, and to use children’s and babies’ gloves Organic cotton adults’ and effort that went into trying different things the entire recommended amount. and garments. children’s nightwear, underwear, www.ecooutfitters.co.uk, [email protected] when I was younger, means that I’m now very Miraculously, my eczema disappeared almost • Skinnies, Dermacea Ltd, socks, tights, vests, and 100% silk Organic cotton school uniform aware of my triggers – including stress, illness overnight when I was 7 years old. Nobody Dermacea House, women’s underwear. and P.E. kit. and changes in temperature – and the various could work out why. It just seemed to fizzle 1 Western Road, West Hagley • H J Hall, 0116 244 1342, ways in which I can help myself. out, although I would still get a little soreness • Marks & Spencer (see details DY9 0LB, 01562 884 898, www.hj.co.uk around my mouth if it was really cold outside. www.skinniesuk.com, Adults’ non-restrictive socks under ‘Cotton stockists’). One of my parents’ best discoveries, which I still [email protected] with a high proportion of cotton Search for the ‘SkinKind’ range for use to soothe my skin today when it is sore and My first real memories of eczema are Therapeutic silk clothing: adults’, (search for ‘diabetic socks’). school uniform. inflamed, is the ‘porridge oat bath’. It sounds when it came back with a vengeance
30 | exchange exchange | 31