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Allergic reactions to clothing can cause local irritation, hives, itching, and burning pain. Antihistamines can relieve symptoms, but severe systemic reactions require emergency medical attention. Allergy medications can have side effects, and an allergist may recommend testing and treatment plans, including allergy injections.
Signs of an allergic reaction to clothing can include local irritation, redness, and swelling. Additionally, hives, itching, and burning pain may also occur. Sometimes, however, the allergic reaction to clothing is actually caused by the laundry detergent or dry cleaning solution. It can be helpful to wash clothes with a mild or hypoallergenic laundry detergent, as well as wearing clothes that don’t require dry cleaning.
An allergic reaction to clothing can usually be relieved by an over-the-counter antihistamine. These drugs are available in oral or topical form. Although topical preparations usually work faster, oral antihistamines are more effective in treating a systemic allergic reaction to clothing. A systemic reaction may include swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and chest pain.
On the rare occasion that an allergic reaction to clothing causes a severe systemic reaction, emergency medical attention should be sought. When the person has symptoms of a closing of the throat or wheezing, they may experience an allergic anaphylactic reaction, which can be fatal if not treated quickly, usually within about 15 minutes. Although an allergic reaction to clothing rarely produces such severe symptoms, other allergens, such as bee venom or peanuts, can cause them.
Allergy medications are quite effective in treating allergic reactions to clothes. They can, however, produce side effects, including drowsiness, dry mouth and urinary retention. Also, allergy medications such as diphendihydramine can cause dizziness, confusion, and blurred vision. Because allergy medications can produce significant side effects, people should not drive or operate dangerous machinery while using these medications.
People experiencing an allergic reaction to clothing should speak to their healthcare providers, who can determine if the patient should visit an allergist. The allergist may recommend medical tests such as sensitivity screening to determine which component of clothing or fabric the person is allergic to. The allergist will then be able to recommend a treatment plan, which may include medication or injections.
Occasionally, an allergist will suggest that the patient receive scheduled allergy injections to prevent further symptoms of allergic reactions to clothing. The injections are usually given on a weekly basis, however, every patient is different and only the allergist can determine the correct injection schedule. This type of treatment is usually safe, but sometimes the injections can cause itching and irritation at the injection site.
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