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clothing/itches/rashes/eczema: dye/latex/synthetics/PPD
@Andrew-b, thank you for posting that. I'm going to have to digest it. It does seem to be part and parcel of the whole "clothing toxicity" topic that this thread seems to be evolving into.
Several of the "how to" articles I read in order to work my way through this dye/elastic issue have mentioned using natural fibers. I never did see any real reason given. But I have been working toward natural fibers, and they do feel good. I guess the suggestion stuck with me and it does seem like if you are going to detox your wardrobe, you might as well go natural too.
I was kind of hoping that white or light-colored synthetics (that I already own) were going to be at least "ok", but maybe they aren't. I can't really say that I've seen problems with them... I'll have to be more aware of it.
For underwear, I rely exclusively on pure cotton trunks, no polyester or other synthetics which are so common these days. I also make sure they're not tight but lose around the crouch area. Good that @andrew-b points out the issue with polyester and infertility. One wonders if the attacks on fertility are a conscious effort to reduce world population. Another example would be fluoride which is best to be avoided too when possible. Common sources are soda and toothpaste. Ditch them for something natural like xylitol or baking soda (which might be abrasive to the enamel in some cases). I also try to buy secondhand clothes which have been washed by the previous owner so that toxic dye shouldn't be a problem, and I can still wear stylish clothes without looking like a hippie environmenatlist from the 70s. 🙂 @lil-chick pointed out a store where to get clothes without dye. I add another one that I've shopped from before: https://rawganique.com/
Interested to see that poster Liz, on another thread, said she would burn through socks in one day in summer.
I am pretty sure it was A though and not due to any color 🙂 my sock budget went through the roof that summer 🤣. I always walk a lot so it was not wear and tear. But literally brand new (always wash before I wear) socks with the entite heel missing at the end of the day. Not a hole people. The fabric covering the heels were literally gone 🤣. I have had holes forming on heels a few time since but not as rapidly as back then
I've posted here that I'm much less itchy at night (which is an easy fix and handles 1/3 of the day!) by getting rid of all color and synthetic in my sleep area. My nose is now the only thing that itches me at night, which tells me there are still airborne allergens (not a surprise in my house).
It's just at the beginning of gardening weather here and I've worked up a sweat now and then, and dressing in lighter/white clothing, no elastic (such as on bras and underwear, gloves, waistband, hat, socks), and choosing natural fibers as possible.
Things are going good so far.
I do feel that there might be some toxins from the elastic in bras and underwear absorbed in my skin, and that it may take time for it all to come back out. The occasional itch still happens right exactly where the elastic was, especially in the bra zone.
I have been quite unhappy with the prospects regarding bras. We (society, fashion, norms) actually expect the look that is given by elastic and synthetic bras. And you can't really get those same effects in natural materials IMO. Still searching for an answer. Very often my answer is just to just dress in multiple layers, free of any constrictions. That's women's liberation right there.
So I'm not sure if I pointed to this article before but I think it bears repeating if so:
Paraphenylenediamine and related chemicals as allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8130485/
I also got this blurb from another page
"Individuals who an allergy to PPD also frequently react to other compounds as well. These include parabens, black rubber mix, sunscreens (ie PABA sunscreens), various dyes (especially yellow and ornage azo dyes and analine), benzocaine/procaine anesthetics. Many patients with PPD allergy react to henna tattoos because these also contain some amount of PPD. In addition, there are certain medications that patients with PPD allergy best avoid. Individuals with PPD allergy may develop severe generalized reactions followed use of thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide), sulfonylureas (diabetes medications), celocoxib, and sulfonamide antibiotics." - See more at: https://donovanmedical.com/hair-blog/ppd-crossreactions#sthash.kUrAFV7Z.dpuf
As I said before, my hairstylist told me I was allergic to hair dye which is usually PPD allergy. Through time I have had reactions to many of the things on this list including rubber (ie elastic), sunscreen, clothing dyes, dental novocaine, and sulfa antibiotics.
I suppose that THIS is what I have been calling "chemical sensitivity" when really it is one allergy that cross reacts with many chemicals. That explains why some bad chemicals don't really throw me for a loop even though they are stinky and awful. And others do.
Other people reading this thread may just want to put a nice barrier of white fabric on as a first layer of clothing, or sleep in white sheets. But in my case, I may have to go further and really get rid of some of my dyed clothing.
I suppose bleaching the clothing won't fix the problem. One of the articles above it says that PPD is colorless and is added to make dyes absorb. So I'm thinking bleach isn't going to solve anything, and I guess that is why my "acid wash jeans" still make me itchy even though they are very light blue. How on earth am I going to live without blue jeans? Sigh.
Interestingly enough it says that most reactions occur when PPD is oxidizing. I wonder if that relates to times when things get sweaty? It does seem like this matters.
Also, it appears to me that certain places on my body are "sensitized" while others are not. These seem to be places where elastic has rubbed over many years, where the cap of the hair dye "highlights" hit my neck, and points where clothing tends to rub like around waists or where rivets are. Also, my wrists, where I had my recent reaction, seem to be sensitized now. It's probably important to stop being exposed so that these areas don't increase.
How interesting and unpleasant! It seems we are inundated with all sorts of potential sources of allergens and toxins in this day and age. I’m glad you’re getting to the bottom of your sensitivity and seeing improvements by reducing exposure, @lil-chick!
Elastic really does seem a bit nasty. I bought some to sew with, and couldn’t bring myself to use it due to the off-putting smell.
Thanks @puddleduck!
Now that I'm living without elastic, I've realized it is a myth that elastic makes clothing more comfortable. Most jeans and shorts are full of synthetic stretch material and then have a wide waist band. It's like being a leftover in Saran Wrap.
All-natural fiber clothing can feel very freeing.
People managed without elastic for the whole rest of history!
@lil-chick It may be that with you being healthier on Vit A reduction what is now needed is a period of a month or more away from the chemical trigger completely. This sometimes works for foods. It's a bit like a cell danger response. It's currently triggering too often for a chance to heal.
Wow, that's an interesting thought @andrew-b, that would be great!
Now, some allergens we never get a break from like dust or pollen. And others, say, bee stings, we do get a break from.
People do sometimes outgrow their allergies though. I've seen that with family members. When my first cat came to my house and adopted me, I "lost" my allergy to cats. I suppose that was sort of the opposite where if you immerse yourself in the allergy, the body sort of gives up on the excess reaction.
Unfortunately right now I goofed up and started a big woodworking project. (I've always been a DIY'er and enjoy decorating)
It occurs to me now that wood stain might be formulated somewhat like hair dye. DERP. I really don't know for sure. I wish there was more info on such things. But when, as a lay person, I look into what PPD is, and what wood stain is made of I see similarities in the chemical names.
I've been OK, but where was my brain? I'm going to try not to worry too much about it, finish up the project very carefully and try to avoid the off-gassing as much as possible.
But it sure makes me think that this "family" of allergens is kind of hard to avoid. I suppose that is why people start calling themselves generally "chemically sensitive" because it so many things are related.
But what makes allergies come and go? Allergies are mysterious aren't they?