Pure synthetics and synthetic blends commonly cause allergy and chemical sensitivity. Moreover, using synthetics can cause irritation, even if you are not actually allergic or sensitive to the fibres themselves; many people with sensitive skin, for instance, find that wearing or sleeping on synthetics makes their skin worse. This is because the materials do not allow sweat to escape and dry as well as natural materials do. Sweat on the skin increases its permeability to allergens, as well as causing friction and irritation. If you avoid synthetics (even if you are not specifically allergic or sensitive to them), it can be of general benefit and help you relieve other reactions.
Synthetic materials and blends are found everywhere and in every application, from carpets to clothes to insulating materials. Many different chemicals are used, and it may be that you are sensitive to one type of chemical and not to another. Although it is generally better, if you are chemically sensitive, to reduce your load of potential troublemakers as far as you can, you may find that you can use or wear some fabrics or fibres and not others.
To help you work out if there are synthetics that suit you, the three main types of synthetic fibre in general use are:
Fibre Brand Name
Polyamide Nylon
Polyester Terylene, Crimplene, Dacron
Acrylics Acrilan, Courtelle, Orion, Dralon
Lycra is a brand name for polyurethane elastomer.
Some people who react to pure cotton find they can tolerate it in a blend with a synthetic fibre (polycotton or polyester cotton). Similarly, some people who react to pure synthetics can also tolerate polycotton blends. Fabric resins are applied to polycotton blends, although, again, they wash out readily.
Synthetic materials are often used in fastenings, trimmings, elastic and in thread, even on garments or items of cotton or other natural fibres. If you are very sensitive, these may be enough to cause reactions.
Wearing synthetic fibres or using synthetic bedding may give you problems, while using it in furnishings may not. This is because the fibres warm up as you wear or sleep on them and give off fumes. You may not need to avoid synthetics except in clothing and bedding.
Dyes on synthetic fibres can sometimes cause allergy and sensitivity and you may mistake this for sensitivity to the fibre. Dyes do not generally cause reactions but Disperse azo dyes are known to be troublesome. These are rarely used on cotton, rayon or wool, but usually on synthetics. Dyes in nylon stockings and tights (even flesh-coloured) are a known area of sensitivity.
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