The Best Clothing or Bedding Fabric For Psoriasis

Findings from the National Psoriasis Foundation reveal that around 40% of people hide psoriasis with their clothing choices. Long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants, scarfs, jackets, caps — any style that helps hide the plaques without looking weird are welcome. However, covering the body too much contributes to heat retention, leading to triggers of psoriasis.

In this article, you’ll learn how clothing, bedding, or contact with fabric can affect the skin with psoriasis. You’ll also learn the best fabric for psoriasis, as well as the best solution to flare-ups in case you need one.

How Clothing or Bedding Affects Psoriasis

Skin with psoriasis may easily crack and bleed. This can make clothes stick more to the skin, worsening bleeding and irritation. Scales and lesions become more irritated when you wear clothes that pull the skin. So, making smart choices about what you wear can reduce the onset of psoriasis.

Cotton is the best fabric for psoriasis

Thread count impacts the smoothness of the fabric. Cotton thread count ranges from 200 to 400, while bamboo ranges from 300 to 500. The average linen only has 80 to 140, so they tend to scratch the skin more compared to those with more threads that create a smoother feel.

Synthetic fabrics are stiff and can break at the microscopic level. When they do, it feels like tiny plastic materials poking at your skin numerous times, so it’s irritating and is a sure trigger for psoriasis.

Clothes can be your last defense when you have psoriasis. They can help you hide the plaques and make you more comfortable and confident to go out. So, the last thing you need is to wear clothes or use beddings that just make psoriasis worse.

How To Choose The Best Fabric For Psoriasis

Psoriasis plaques often appear on the knees, hands, elbows, and torso which are often covered by clothing. While you can hide psoriasis through fashionable clothing, cut back on tight-fitting ones and wear loose clothes instead.

Wearing clothes that cling to the skin can make you sweat more and be the cause of overheating. Combining these factors can immediately trigger psoriasis.

Pick breathable fabrics that don’t trap heat, make you sweat, or scratch your skin often. Tight clothing can worsen psoriasis. Looser undergarments are also recommended (boxers over briefs).

Wear garments made of lightweight and soft fabric to avoid skin irritation

Wear lightweight cotton or silk as much as possible and avoid beddings or clothes made of wool or polyester materials. They may look fab or comfy but they don’t breathe as much as cotton. Synthetic clothes are worse because they retain heat and tend to stick to the skin.

Aside from clothes, your towel is another fabric that often comes in contact with the skin. Cotton is also the best bedding fabric for psoriasis. It is less prone to overheating and less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

Shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause your feet to sweat, triggering the onset of psoriasis. To avoid flares, wear cotton socks and pair them with comfortable and fit shoes.

Selecting the Best Bedding For Psoriasis

When choosing beddings, get one with a higher thread count. Sheets, pillowcases, and duvets should also be made of cotton or bamboo. These materials are soft, cool, and breathable, so they’re easy on the skin and won’t trigger your psoriasis.

Additionally, cotton is also the best fabric for psoriasis because it is washable even at high temperatures. Washing and heating clothes and beddings kill dust mites which are known to trigger psoriasis flare-ups.

Bonus Tip:

Aside from good bedding, invest in a good mattress for comfort. It can be pricey, but a durable and comfortable mattress can last a lifetime, give you a good night’s sleep, and help manage psoriasis and eczema.

Spring mattresses can have dust mites, while those made with memory foams can contribute to overheating. Latex mattresses are resistant to molds but tend to be more expensive compared to other bed types. You may also be allergic to latex, so consult with your doctor first before purchasing.

The Ideal Clothing Choice For An Active Lifestyle

If you have an active lifestyle and workout regularly, you know how it can be a pain to deal with psoriasis. Sweating can’t be avoided, so your only option is to pick the right psoriasis clothing that can reduce the triggers.

Choose activewear made from natural fibers that readily absorb moisture. Clothes that wick moisture has the best fabric for psoriasis since they pull away sweat from your skin.

After working out, take a shower right away and apply skin moisturisers to limit psoriasis triggers.

Additional Tips To Help With Your Psoriasis

In addition to choosing the right bedding or clothing, remember these tips to help avoid or reduce psoriasis flare-ups.

Use fragrance-free detergent

Laundry detergents can worsen skin problems. Detergents with too much dye or fragrance mean they have so many chemicals mixed into them and these substances can be harsh on the skin.

Use fragrance-free detergents if possible to avoid contact with harmful chemicals

Psoriasis impairs the skin barrier, making it less resistant to chemicals. If you experience irritation, itching, or other psoriasis symptoms even if you’re already wearing loose and cotton-based clothes, switch to a different detergent.

If you’re not experiencing irritation with your bedding, and then you suddenly feel the symptoms whenever you lie down, the detergent may be the culprit. Try switching your fabric detergent and see whether your condition will improve.

Fragrance-free laundry detergents often contain fewer chemicals. Liquid detergents are also recommended over solid ones because the former easily dissolves in water compared to the latter. Undissolved particles from solid detergent bars may stick on clothes and irritate the skin.

Moisturise regularly

Keeping the skin moisturised can inhibit itching and flaking of the skin. Just remember to choose unscented and natural skincare moisturisers, lotions, or creams. Scented hand creams may contain harmful chemicals that can be bad for your skin, whether you have psoriasis or not.

Keep away from the sun

While studies show that sun exposure can improve psoriasis, too much exposure can cause mild sunburns or trigger the symptoms.

Morning sunlight is good for the skin and only for limited exposure. If you’re going out on a sunny day, long sleeves are the best psoriasis clothing to consider.

Wash clothes regularly

Make it a habit to change clothes every day. Machine-wash your clothes and beddings at high temperatures to eliminate dust mites and molds.

FAQs

Are fabrics made of polyester bad for psoriasis plaques?

Yes, they’re bad for psoriasis patients because polyester fabrics make clingy clothes that trap heat. They are also rougher compared to cotton when it comes to thread count.

Can you use fabric conditioners?

Avoid using fabric conditioners if possible. They may contain substances that are harmful to skin cells.

Is nylon good for psoriasis skin?

Similar to polyester, nylon-based clothes tend to stick and trap heat, causing excessive sweating that can trigger flare-ups.

What type of fabric is ideal for undergarments?

Choose one made of breathable fabric like cotton. Undergarments contact the skin the most, so make sure they’re made of soft materials and have loose-fitting.

In Case of Flare-Ups, Use Medovie Products

Medovie is a company focused on providing natural solutions to skin problems, including psoriasis. Our products are based on the most potent herbs from Traditional Chinese Medicine which were tested to be very effective in providing lasting relief for the appearance of psoriasis.

Medovie products can give you lasting relief against the appearance of psoriasis

We have lotions, creams, shampoos, and capsules based on the groundbreaking 3HX™ formula. The active ingredients not only deal with psoriasis on the outside but also inside for a holistic approach to improving the appearance of your skin. Since our products are sourced from natural substances, rest assured they are gentle on sensitive skin.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous candidates for the best fabrics for psoriasis. Cotton and bamboo are the highly recommended choices because of their high thread count and comfortable feel. Silk and linen are also considered good because they are lightweight and soft. Synthetic and polyester are the least advised for clothes and beddings because they are more prone to sticking to the skin, resulting in overheating and skin irritation.

In case psoriasis symptoms are triggered, you can rely on Medovie products for lasting relief.