The best: soft, breathable, natural
- 100% cotton — the go-to. Soft, cool, breathable, absorbs sweat, easy to wash. Watch the label: ‘cotton-rich’ blends can hide a lot of polyester, so check the actual percentage.
- Bamboo (viscose) and lyocell/TENCEL — soft, breathable, good at regulating temperature; lyocell is the more eco-friendly version. A good cotton alternative.
- Silk — soft, breathable, temperature-regulating; there are even close-fitting silk garments made for eczema. Downside: harder to wash and creams mark it, so less practical day-to-day.
The worst: rough, hot, sweaty
- Wool — a classic itch trigger against the skin (even ‘soft’ wool). If a wool sweater or coat is unavoidable, put a cotton layer underneath.
- Polyester, nylon and other synthetics — tend to trap heat and moisture, causing overheating and sweat that set off flares. Fine as an outer shell, not against the skin.
Beyond the fabric: a few dressing habits
- Loose over tight — less friction, less trapped heat.
- Mind the seams, tags, and rough trims — snip out scratchy labels; turn seams away from the skin where you can.
- Don't over-bundle — overheating triggers itch as much as cold. Dress in layers you can peel off.
- Wash new clothes before wearing (in fragrance-free, dye-free detergent — see triggers) to remove manufacturing residues.
A note on special garments
For some children, specially-made eczema garments (soft seamless cotton or silk bodysuits, or garments for wet-wrap therapy) can help, especially overnight. These are worth asking your doctor or nurse about if clothing and night-scratching are a real problem — but for most children, plain soft cotton does the job beautifully.
See which fabrics your child does best in
Every child's skin is a little different. Note new fabrics in Ollowen and watch how the skin responds — so you dress for calm, not guesswork.
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Sources
- National Eczema Society. Clothing and eczema.
- Eczema UK. Clothing and eczema: fabric guide.
- Medical News Today. Fabrics for eczema: best, worst, and how to clean.
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