NEW DELHI: While most of us know about heat strokes and dehydration during summer and take precautions against the same, it may surprise you that cool looking denim jeans are a leading cause of several skin related complications and are best avoided once temperatures soar, said leading dermatologists from the city.”Denims are ideal for winters and countries that have cold climates. In hot weather they trap heat, leading to several skin related complications including irritation, allergic rashes, contact dermatitis and fungal infections like ringworm,” said Dr Kabir Sardana from RML hospital. Denim clothes prevent aeration and do not let sweat dry out. It traps heat and sweat, which is ideal for fungal growth, he said.It has been shown that fungus spores on denim clothes don’t get killed easily by washing, unlike cotton clothes, as per a published study, the doctor said.He further said, “Ninety percent of ringworm cases happen usually in the thigh and groin because of the clothes people wear.” He added that people don’t wash jeans frequently and that aggravates the problem. If it is washed regularly and not reverse dried, then too it can cause skin issues.A study published in a PubMed-cited journal revealed that even after one wash, fungal spores persist on denim clothes.Dr Ramanjit Singh, visiting consultant, dermatology, Medanta Gurugram, said other fabrics like nylon, synthetic and polyester can also cause skin rashes as these fabrics don’t allow air to circulate. “During summer, everyone must wear loose cotton clothes with full sleeves that cover the arms and neck,” he said.Dr Vijay Singhal, senior consultant, dermatology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said that dyes and chemicals used in the manufacturing process of clothing including denim jeans can cause allergic reactions and other skin problems. “Wearing jeans in hot weather can also cause heat rash or folliculitis, as it can trap sweat and bacteria on the skin, leading to inflammation, itching and infection. Clothing dermatitis is a major concern. It is a type of allergic contact dermatitis that occurs when the skin comes into contact with clothing or fabrics that contain irritating or allergenic substances,” he said.”We recommend avoiding tight clothing because it doesn’t allow free circulation of air. Hence sweat does not evaporate, which influences the growth of fungi. The symptoms include redness, itching and skin lesions. It is important to note that we should not use topical corticosteroids and over-the-counter medicines for relief,” said Dr Singhal.Dr Pooja Chopra, consultant dermatologist, Akash healthcare, advised avoiding tight-fitting and skinny jeans during the months when humidity is high. “Hair follicles in the thigh area may get infected and cause folliculitis and boils,” she said, adding that if you have to wear them, ensure that it’s not worn for several hours and never sleep in jeans. “Fungal infections tend to be itchy, while bacterial infections in the thigh area can be more painful,” she added.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/jeans-not-cool-in-summer-they-trap-heat-dont-let-air-pass-doctors-in-delhi/articleshow/99879551.cms