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clothing/itches/rashes/eczema: dye/latex/synthetics/PPD
I had a very traumatic dental operation (s) when I was about 11. (In my post above the quote says that dental anesthetics are in this family of allergens. ) Could that very traumatic event be how I ended up allergic to this family of triggers?
Maybe that was my gateway to this problem. (rather than hair dye)
However, I do think the overall leakiness (atopic ness) of a person with high VA also plays in, and becoming less leaky is important.
Regarding leakiness, the whole nature of PPD is to make chemicals (like hair dye) penetrate. Which is probably why they are in dental anesthetics? Just a guess though.
The big issue with new clothing and bedding you’ve bought is that the cotton or material used is nearly always drenched in very harmful pesticides which impairs your Vitamin A metabolism. So if you buy new clothing make sure to wash it 3 times before using, usually that should be enough to get the pesticides out. And if you’re able to buy organic clothing then do that as it has much less pesticides used.
@aldenwicker0 Okay, i need to get over my fear of social media to tell you that today, my TV interview about my book To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick — and How We Can Fight Back was cancelled because the news org’s lawyers were scared they would get sued by the petrochemical industry and fashion industry. #toxicfashion #nontoxicliving #toxicfreeliving #eczemaawareness #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunedisease #carcinogen #chemicals #multiplechemicalsensitivity
Legacy media cancels book segment on toxic clothing because of the deep pockets of the industry.
Oh that’s really sad, @lil-chick... Not surprising, but kind of ironic living in the “information age” as we are. At least there are alternative communication channels. 🙂
Looks like she has lotsa interesting articles here:
Quote from lil chick on June 30, 2023, 5:36 amhttps://www.tiktok.com/@aldenwicker0/video/7249882064051522862?_r=1&_t=8daSlB782Ek
Legacy media cancels book segment on toxic clothing because of the deep pockets of the industry.
No surprises here. Greed is a dominating force.
So I thought I'd give a little bit of an update.
One thing that I'm really glad I ordered was a few organic white cotton face masks. Visitors are still forced to wear face masks to visit a nursing home nearby. They want you to wear theirs, but if you say you are latex allergic they let you pass with the cloth mask.
Perhaps I have already mentioned it, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't need to FEAR rubber, latex, dye, synthetics, etc. I think that my hot flashes and VA toxicity combine in a way that makes irritants in clothing even more bothersome for me so that I can see the problem more clearly than others might. I don't run around worrying that I'm going to drop dead from it.
My lips did not stop peeling when I changed my toothbrush. (It appears that my lip problem might be essential fatty acid deficiency)
I've been working on a wardrobe/bed linens situation that is made up of white and light-colored natural fibers and I love it. But if I have to throw in something dark, synthetic or even elastic I might have a bit more itching but life goes on.
Skin areas that were chronic elastic-wearing places sometimes get itchy with just sweating even in my new wardrobe. So I think perhaps the pigments might have permeated (that is what PPD does, btw). I'm thinking it's detox.
If you have to, elastic inside of cloth tunnels is much better than bare elastic on the skin. Dark clothing washed several times is much better than brand new.
One of the things that I have found is that it is a myth that elastic makes clothing fit better. It 100% doesn't. It's easier on the manufacturers. Everything I've taken elastic out of looks better on me than it did before. However, removing elastic is a bear and unless you are an avid seamstress it's much easier to find items that have buttons, zippers or draw strings from the start! I like living without elastic, I especially think that thick elastic bands on summer clothing should be illegal. Horrible!
I have gotten rid of some of the more plasticky, rubbery stuff from my kitchen and it feels more authentic.
I get away with bralessness by dressing in layers. Even in summer it's cooler to wear a cotton cami and a blouse (or a cotton slip and a dress) rather than a bra and a shirt or dress. Try it, you'll like it. For those that can't get away with it, I feel for you, all-cotton bras without any synthetic or elastic can be found, but they are going to take some time and trouble to get right. Bras will be needed in anything body-conscious or form-showing. Your basic tee shirt isn't going to be OK without a bra. But I never looked good in a basic tee shirt anyways.
It dawned on me why farmers (like me) might become intolerant to PPD/latex more than others and possibly it's because we are daily touching and cleaning out big, black rubber water bowls for our animals. I just bought a new one and it smelled horribly of chemicals for a good week.
@lil-chick I am totally in the market for this! But I have to ask, what do you do for underpants?
Quote from kathy55wood on July 25, 2023, 10:26 am@lil-chick I am totally in the market for this! But I have to ask, what do you do for underpants?
Hi @kathy55wood, there is a company called Cottonique and it is very good. The items vary according to what you think you tolerate. They have underwear with "non-allergic stretch", and they have underwear with no stretch. They also have both dyed and undyed. I think one of the problems with them is their size range is basic and you have to get the sizing right because things aren't as stretchy. A person might easily be outside the range. For instance, they have no socks big enough for my husband (otherwise known as Bigfoot). I've been happy with the stuff that has worked, there are no returns at Cottonique so try things slowly.
My current thoughts on toxic clothing.
Although non-toxic clothing has itchiness benefits, it hasn't 100% solved itching. I still itch when I sweat heavily, a deep itch, I suppose that itch is coming from ME, not my clothing.
I'm a middle-of-the-roader on this subject now. But very glad I've gone down the path.
Light colored outer-clothing for the winter (here in my cold climate), feels inappropriate . Also, dark colors are good for being unobtrusive in the city. I rely heavily on a white cotton base layer.
I wear a lot of white or very light-colored linen or cotton clothing in the summer, and it is better than before. For instance, my garden clothing functions so much better now in the heat and sun.
I have gotten rid of most elastic and opt for draw strings or fitted clothing. I occasionally use an elastic to hold hair. IMO elastic is the junk-food of clothing.
I can totally "feel" the breathability and performance of all-natural fibers now, but do still have some synthetics such as a down puffer coat or poly-lined wool items. A pair of modern sneakers.
Some of the more expensive changes I've put off, like an all-natural mattress, but I'm looking forward to it. Can't wait.