New Information for People With Fabric Allergies
July 18, 2009
There is a new test available to clothing manufacturers to determine if a garment is hypoallergenic.
The Hohenstein Institute, based in Germany, has figured out how to analyze a fabric’s interaction with living skin cells and determine if that fabric will induce an allergic reaction or skin irritation to the wearer.
HerRoom.com and HisRoom.com are constantly contacted by people with latex allergies looking for underwear and lingerie they can wear without irritation. Though we do our best to identify items the manufacturers have told us qualify, read any of the customer reviews on these items and you will see people complaining that they don’t work.
I contacted Sam Moore from the Institute and had a fascinating conversation with him. First, he is not aware of any underwear/lingerie brands on the market that are free of latex and spandex. Without either fiber, a garment would only have as much support as a draw-string could deliver.
I asked Sam about products containing latex and/or spandex where the offending fiber is covered by another fabric, cotton for example. Why wouldn’t this type of garment work for consumers? His answer was enlightening. Both latex and spandex break down in the wash. Therefore, small particles of the offending fiber will work their way out of the casing and eventually wind up on the surface of the fabric covering them. So, even if latex or spandex is covered, the wearer is not protected and an outbreak will occur.
The Hohenstein Certification on products will be of great interest to those consumers with skin sensitivities and allergies. Scientists have identified more than 3,700 substances that are skin allergens.
The Hohenstein test currently costs about $3000 per garment. At that price, it’s prohibitive for a retailer such as myself to have the test conducted on everything I sell. However, manufacturers could find great financial benefit in having their products Hohenstein certifiied. As of this writing, Fruit of the Loom has made an inquiry.
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Posted by Tomima at 6:37am
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Finding Lingerie When You Are Allergic to Latex
January 28, 2009
Here’s an example of a typical email we receive from women with latex allergies:
Hi, I am desperate. I have a latex allergy that has gotten worse and now I can’t wear a latex bra or underwear..I found underwear but finding a bra in my size 38DDD is impossible. Do you have any resources or know of where I can buy one. (actually several) thanks, Linda B.
My heart goes out to all you women with latex allergies. It’s really almost impossible to find bras and panties that don’t give you a reaction. And, for some of you, your reaction can actually put you in the hospital.
For the last 8 years, I have researched this issue to try and find a solution. Unfortunately, I have yet to find one. And, here’s the rub; liability. Manufacturers would rather not get involved with this problem for fear of being sued.
Okay, this may sound callous, but I must admit I completely understand. Here’s what has happened to me on a number of occasions. I have suggested an item, having reviewed its tags, to a woman who is latex intolerant . But, rather than working with me, several of these women have stated they will sue me if I’m wrong. Talking about biting the hand that feeds you!
Last year, I was contacted by a woman who works for a latex-free non-profit organization. Sorry, I can’t remember its name. She was asking for my help in identifying garments that are latex free. I shared with her my desire to help, but also my negative experience with some of the latex-intolerant women who contacted me. She confirmed that there is a rather militant group out there that discourages finding solutions.
The best I can do is communicate the fabric content that is given to me by the manufacturers. Most elastic in lingerie these days is made with spandex rather than latex. However, the manufacturer is at the mercy of the factory making the raw material. Latex is cheaper than spandex. So, the manufacturer may be thinking they are purchasing latex-free products, when in fact the factory has snuck some latex in the mix. To avoid lawsuits, lingerie manufacturers make no promises of products being latex free.
Another issue is the level of latex intolerance. For some women, it’s an annoying rash, for others, it can send them running to the hospital. The reaction swing is large. This is probably why the responses I receive are also so varied.
I have inquired about any test available to use on fabrics to see if there is latex. So far, I have been told there is no home test available.
I would dearly love to help all of you find a solution. However, who wants to work with a group that threatens lawsuits? When a lingerie garment on my site is found to be latex free, I hope you will write a review and let us know. We will then be happy to put a comment in the description that the garment was found to be latex free by latex-intolerant women.
We have one bra, the Leading Lady 600, which its manufacturer claims to be latex free. It’s sizing starts at 32A and goes up to a 42DD. The elastic used has spandex in it, and this elastic does touch the skin. But it’s a good starting point, and has many positive reviews.
Addendum. Just today, our website received this email. It proves my point about not wanting to get involved in the conversation for fear of liability:
Is this bra latex-free? Does the spandex or straps have natural rubber/latex in them, or a synthetic? The description is confusing as it doesn’t say, then one reviewer says it is latex-free. The Tomina’s comment that it can be ‘latex-free’ if worn inside out is completely ERRONEOUS and could be fatal- latex free means not one speck of natural rubber or latex- just being around it can cause severe anaphylactic allergic reactions in some persons, even death. It may be true that some persons can wear latex if it is covered or not touching them, but they do not realize that could be very dangerous- if one has a latex allergy, they can go from just sensitive to anaphylaxis within minutes.
Posted by Tomima at 7:52am
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