It doesn’t happen to everyone, but walking around with itchy privates is more common than you think. As you can imagine, even mild symptoms can be bothersome enough to drive people to their doctor for treatment. The reasons why can range from worrisome (STIs, skin conditions or harmful allergies among other things) or something much more benign, like your underwear.
Why is my underwear making me itch?
Any kind of fiber can bring on a rash, but you’re more likely to get textile dermatitis, an itchy skin rash, from clothes made with synthetics such as polyester, rayon, nylon and spandex, i.e. typical materials used for panties and other types of underwear. They don’t breathe as well as natural fibers and they make your body produce more sweat quicker.
The source of the itchiness is often the synthetic dyes or other chemicals in the underwear. According to the National Library of Medicine, formaldehyde resins used to make garments wrinkle-free or dirt-repellent can cause real skin problems.
READ: Should Women Skip Panties In The Summer? Some Doctors Think So
That’s why it’s best to look for natural fibers when choosing underwear. Wama Underwear, for instance, is a sustainable clothing brand that produces undies made of hemp. It is a great option when looking for a way to cut down on skin irritation. Hemp fabric has many benefits like being naturally anti-bacterial, soft and breathable.
Hemp fibers have also been proven to:
- protect your skin by naturally filtering UV light.
- resist bacterial growth and breathe excellently, preventing odors.
- have four times the strength of cotton; It won’t weaken when washed.
- retain natural color better than any other fabric
This is especially important because wearing the wrong underwear can cause some pretty bothersome conditions that if not treated, can lead to itchiness and even pain.
They include: