We love wearing clothes that flatter our body but often overlook the hazards that they cause us

Safety over style





We love wearing clothes that flatter our body but often overlook the hazards that they cause us. Read on to know about how clothes and accessories aggravate dermal disasters 

 

From tight lingerie to cheap fabrics to costume jewellery fashion is taking a toll , on our skin in several ways. Derma tologists informed us how squeez ing into suffo cating clothing can result in potential health risks. Tight cloth ing such as body-sha pers and corsets, in addition to making your bulging paunch look ripped from the outside can also be irritable to the nerves.

 

Elastic around the waist is one of the major causes of urticaria, a kind of dermatitis that results in redness of the skin, rashes and itchy wheals and restrictive circulation resulting in alterations in cerebrovascular reactivity. “Contact urticaria is a common skin problem caused by stretched clothing, lingerie and pieces of clothing worn at the place for a prolonged period such as socks and ties. The pressure exerted by the clothing results in red rashes and bumps. Although urticaria, like any other allergic reaction, depends on one's susceptibility , simple preventive measures can go a long way in combating these. Applying a petroleum jelly around the waist and other pressure points can help,“ suggests dermatologist Dr Anusree Ganguly . Cotton and polyester, unlike nylon, synthetic fabrics and even wool, let the skin breathe and is a safer option for people, especially children with a history of dermatitis.
Costume jewellery , which contains nickel and can cause severe contact dermatitis. Symptoms include itchy rashes around the neck, earlobes and wrists. Although it is difficult to prevent aller gic reactions, it is advisable to opt for metallic jewellery that is devoid of nickel. Cheap, synthetic dyes and fabrics too can cause contact dermatitis and be difficult to diagnose without an allergic patch test (APT). “Humidity acts as a catalyst when it comes to breeding fungal infections and in a country like India, it is important to avoid fabrics that cause too much sweating, thus, resulting in skin problems,“ advises Dr Sumit Sen, Professor of Dermatology at a city hospital. He added that pressure urticaria localized to contact area may also result from wrist watches and belts and must be avoided by people who are prone to such allergies. It is always wiser to choose comfort over fashion.

Misuse of cosmetics is also a reason behind common skin perils. Fairness creams may promise you flawless skin in few weeks but they contain steroids that can cause acne to surface. “Steroid, an active ingredient and a culprit agent in any fairness creams (more common is night creams) can cause adverse reactions on sensitive skin. Oil-based makeup in forms of foundation and concealers can also result in acne.Sometimes makeup or creams react with sunlight and result in facial pigmentation known as photo contact dermatitis,“ Ganguly informed.

TIPS
Avoid skinny jeans that can exert pressure on the spine and thighs Choose cotton over nylon Tight belts, skirts can cause abdominal pain Avoid cosmetics with active fairness agents Avoid tight lingeries