Vocational School of Justice
SKIN FRIENDLY FABRICS FOR A HEALTHY LIFE
Choice of fabrics used for clothing, upholstery, bedding sets, etc. is as equally important as your preference of food when it comes to health. Choosing natural fibers such as linen, cotton, wool, silk, etc. is the best way to help prevent eczema, psoriasis, bacteria, and fungal diseases.
Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Head of Department of Fashion and Textile Design, Faculty of Arts and Design, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), pointed out the importance of choice of clothing and fabric was just as important as the choice of healthy foods. Prof. Dr. Adanır said, “We are not fully aware how some of the clothing items and fabrics, made from harmful dyes and chemicals, cause a threat to our health. Skin. The largest organ in our body. Working for us all day and all night. Warming us. Cooling us. Even breathing for us. While fabrics make us look and feel great, they should also not make us feel unhealthy. Therefore, we should really pay attention to clothing labels and labels of other textile products before we purchase/use them”.
‘Linen, cotton, wool, silk save lives’
Individuals with eczema and psoriasis usually have to select their clothing with particular care. Natural fibers like linen, cotton, wool, silk, etc. often provide relief to those suffering from these conditions, stated Prof. Dr. Adanır, and she recommended that for women who were afflicted with hot flashes cotton was a great choice for temperature regulation and moisture wicking. “Linen is known to be the world’s strongest natural fiber. Clothes made out of linen protect the skin against external factors, especially against gamma rays. Linen is thought of as nature’s wicking fiber and because of that is preferred in warm and humid climates. It has the natural ability to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. The highly absorbent, easy-to-care-for fabric, silk, is also hypoallergenic because of its natural protein structure, making it a great choice for people with allergies. Individuals with skin conditions like eczema should especially use clothing made of silk. Another example to protein-based fiber is wool. It wicks moisture away from the body. Wool is an excellent insulator. It keeps heat close to the body by trapping still or dead air within the fibers. It is also extremely breathable,” said Prof. Dr. Adanır.
‘Wash before use’
Prof. Dr. Adanır pointed out the importance of washing clothing items, underwear, bed sheets before using them. Adanır said, “Clothes are being manufactured in different machines or with different attachments. They are exposed to dirty spaces. After they are sawn, they go through chemical washing. So, it is very important to wash them before using”.