The modern clothing industry may have produced a number of innovations which have made clothes even more appealing, affordable and functional. However, this trillion dollar industry hides an awful secret that lies in one of the widely used product - synthetic fibers.

Consumers have been led to believe that synthetic fibers are safe but there are reported negative effects because of the chemicals found in clothing. The use of synthetic chemicals may also possibly lead to medical disorders like contact dermatitis, infertility, respiratory diseases and even cancer.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and it is exposed to all risks that synthetic fibers bring. Keep in mind that what goes on the skin can also infiltrate the body. If you are always in contact with synthetic chemicals from the fibers of your clothes, then you are definitely exposing yourself to a lot of risk which can even trigger medical conditions that are not even caused by actual fibers present in clothes.

The dangers of synthetic fibers

Toxins are absorbed by the body mostly through the skin. Such toxins are absorbed by the lymphatic system which goes straight to the blood stream. Then, the liver, which processes chemicals remove the toxins.

A “toxic soup” happens when a combination of multiple chemicals interact and produces a more toxic substance.

A person who is prone to allergies or skin irritation must be mindful when picking out clothes. Not too many people know, but numerous clothes contain man-made chemicals such as petrochemical fibers which can suffocate and restrict the skin. These toxic fibers can pose a serious problem since it shuts down toxic release instead of allowing it to escape. These toxic chemicals are not just harmful to the skin or to the body but they can also cause environmental problems.

Are your clothes making you sick?

Most people are not aware that the fabrics in clothes actually play important roles when it comes to health and wellness. Conventional man-made chemicals that are combined with fabric pose serious health hazards. Most clothing items from shirts to linens are treated with toxic chemicals during the processing stage. Special clothing items such as dry-fit shirts, anti-wrinkle features and the like, go through elaborate processes which require them to use extensive chemicals. These chemicals can be inhaled or even absorbed by the body and worse, can also affect the environment, causing damage to groundwater, air, wildlife and soil.  

Allergic responses to clothing

Many may not even believe that their clothes can make them sick but there are at least scientifically known common allergic responses due to toxic fibers in clothing. Some of which are the following:

• Blurred vision
• Burning and itching
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Recurring sinus infections
• Skin rashes or lesions
• Sudden inflammation and pain in soft tissues
• Unexplained fatigue
• Persistent headaches

Be friendly to your skin

Due to the proliferation of environment-related sentiments, more and more people are becoming health conscious nowadays. This practice is indeed a better choice and should also be implemented in terms of choosing clothes. If you have allergies and other similar skin conditions and sensitivities, then the best option is to look for organic eco-friendly clothing. The most favored materials used in hypoallergenic or organic clothing are bamboo, cotton, hemp, silk, soy and wool.

Cotton

Cotton is the most popular choice mainly because of its versatility. Many items of clothing that are usually found in malls or boutiques are made of cotton. However, traditional cotton farming is known to use insecticides and pesticides which can again become harmful to the skin as well as the environment. On the other hand, organic cotton farming is becoming more and more popular, which means that consumers can now have easy access to clothing items that are friendly to the skin.

A person who is prone to allergies should pay attention to what their clothing is made of. Always check the label or tags. Most skin irritants are actually caused by materials from clothes apart from other external factors. Hence, hypoallergenic or organic clothes such as Cottonique are best for people with sensitive skin.