Eczema Clothing On A Budget

First of all try changing your laundry detergent and fabric softener. This may work for some of you who have never even considered it. Most commercial detergents are much too harsh for people with eczema. They do not rinse out well enough and leave a residue behind. Not good for people with skin problems. You need something that is fragrance free, chemical free, and that rinses completely out. Skip the fabric softener. Use some vinegar in the rinse cycle instead, it restores the PH balance and is less likely to cause skin concerns. Sometimes a change in detergent is all that is needed to stop so many flare ups. If so, this may be all you need to do. What a savings that would be!

The next stage is where clothing purchases become necessary. 100% organic cotton is by far the best friend of eczema sufferers. This material keeps you warm and is also lightweight. It is great for layering on if you are cold and for peeling off if you get too warm, thereby assisting you in maintaining a constant temperature. This is perfect because sweating can make your condition worse. In addition to 100% organic cotton there is clothing made from other fabrics which contain silver (for the antibacterial properties), and silk which clings and glides over the skin. You actually have some choices.

This is the time to go Online to look for eczema clothing. Now is the time to sign up for newsletters from the companies that have captured your interest. Spend time looking at the prices and preparing your budget. Are there any items you know you will need? For my family the place to start spending would be nightclothes and pillowcases. Your sleep is essential to your health, especially when every single minute is occupied with scratching. If you can just get enough help from this to get the sleep you and your family need you may put off your next purchases for another month or two.

One special note: The nightwear for children made in the USA must by law be treated with a flame resistant chemical. This can be disastrous for children with eczema. This is why people have a hard time locating eczema clothing in the USA. But, there is always a silver lining with every cloud---Shop Online. Some other countries don't have this law. Just be aware and keep children away from flames when wearing their night clothes. Be sure to watch for:

--Seams on the outside of the garment to prevent rubbing against the skin.

--Nickel free snaps.

--Check for tear off labels that can easily be removed.

--Does the garment have built in mittens and feet?

--Will the garment interfere with toilet training?

--Will it be easily pulled off by the child at night?

--Is it made from an appropriate fabric?

--Can it be washed in hot water and still maintain it shape?

Considering the above list may help you in saving money and making a decision as to which company offers you the best choice for your specific needs.

If you are a person that has sewing abilities and the time to do so, I would recommend sewing your own clothing for your child. It really doesn't take that much time to sew up a whole layette for an infant or a few pair of pajamas for a child. Grandmothers! Pay attention. What a great gift idea for your little scratchers. 100% organic cotton would be an excellent choice. It is more expensive by 20 to 50%. But this is the price to pay for something which is not that readily available (only 0.03 percent of cotton grown worldwide is organic), and for stopping the itch. 100% organic cotton is cultivated without the use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical herbicides, so good for the environment. The use of these toxins must be discontinued for at least three years before the cotton plants grown in the soil can be considered 100% organic.

100% organic cotton is resistant to dust mites and other allergens. If your child is asthmatic this would also be a great choice for him/her as eczema and asthma often occur together.

Using some simple to sew patterns purchased at a local store could allow your whole family to save money on organic cotton wear. Just remember for eczema sufferers to put the seams on the outside. Buy notions designed for use with organic cotton. If it's infants and itchy toddlers you are sewing for be sure to add fold over mittens for their hands to keep them from scratching. Or just extend the sleeves and sew up the ends. These garments don't even have to be that attractive if you are just wearing them around home. The idea is to stop the itching. If you are inept at sewing perhaps you could find a seamstress to do this project for you. How about a friend who is currently laid off her regular job who sews anyway?

I have found a source for 100% organic cotton that I am delighted to recommend:
Near Sea Naturals.com. You might also try fabric.com. They have an amazing range of colors.

Another great source of organic cotton clothing is Hanes. Yes, you read that right! I was amazed when they sent me a catalog recently. Sleep pants at just $6.98 a pair, a raglan crew T-shirt for only $6.98, plus a sleep shirt for only 8.98. I did order 2 sleep shirts. I love them. I can tell you for this price if I had kids running around with eczema I would be purchasing a lot of these sleep shirts and taking them apart to make garments for my children. I don't believe you can beat this price! I would also be coming in from work and putting on one of my sleep outfits to wear if I wasn't going out anywhere for the evening. Just go to hanes.com and put the word organic in the search box or call 1-800-671-1674.

Next, you will need to take an inventory of clothing and decide what you need to start switching your wardrobe over. There is no need to throw out that lovely itchy sweater that Aunt Peggy bought you when you can buy a 100% organic cotton turtleneck to go under it and save your dollars for special sheets for your bed. Make a list! You need to prioritize your purchases. When you go Online look for special sales, coupons, and other ways to make your money go further. After purchasing bedding congratulate yourself on creating a sanctuary where you can get a good nights sleep. Continue on with your purchasing by expanding to undergarments, it will be good to be comfortable during the day. From there the sky's the limit!

Materials to avoid: denim, leather or artificial leather, wool, linen, polyester, or anything rubber.

This may take you many months but if you want to help yourself and your family members I have no doubt you will. Be persistent.