Is it possible to be allergic to my scrubs?

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

I purchased a pair of scrub pants, the typical 65/35 blend fabric a couple of days ago. I washed them in hot water with extra rinse before wearing and I wore them 1 day for 8 hours. About 4 hours into the day, I started to feel a little itchy in the inner thigh area, but it wasn't overwhelming. When I got home, the itching was very annoying and when I took off the pants, my legs had a red, raised rash all over with more pronounced areas of redness around the seams. Especially the inner thigh area. I used a little cortisone cream and took an antihistamine which took care of the itching and the rash by the next morning.

I went out today and bought 100% cotton scrub pants, so I hope this won't happen again.

I'm just curious - anyone ever had this type of reaction?

Thanks!

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.

Are you washing them in different powder? Have you tried wearing them again?

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Yes you can develop alergies to synthetics but I understand it is quite rare.

A close friend who has a young daughter very allergic to what seems like most substances and she searches far and wide to accomodate her and get cotton dance gear. She is trying hard to give the kid a normal life which is hard as she can eat very little. She wears only cotton and from what I understand it helps a lot.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I have had problems with some scrub pants and I now only buy good quality ones.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

My thoughts lie more in you being sensitive to the dye and fabric treatment rather than the synthetic fabric itself. Maybe try a different brand of scrubs.

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You could be reacting to one or more things. The thread used in the seams may be the culprit. Also, whenever our hospital gets a new shipment of brand new surgeical scrubs many of us react. A dermatologist told me that they frequently use formaldehyde in scrub processing. Repeated washings and lots of cortisone cream helped. I had this once with some turquoise scrubs.When we went to green I didn't have a reaction.

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Specializes in LTC.

Could it be that you're just allergic to work?

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You could be reacting to one or more things. The thread used in the seams may be the culprit. Also, whenever our hospital gets a new shipment of brand new surgeical scrubs many of us react. A dermatologist told me that they frequently use formaldehyde in scrub processing. Repeated washings and lots of cortisone cream helped. I had this once with some turquoise scrubs.When we went to green I didn't have a reaction.

yup, thread is my thought as well

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Specializes in NICU.

Also: did you have an extra-busy night? I always buy the same brand of scrubs and wash them in the same hypoallergenic stuff, but after a bad night I often have a rash like you describe. Sweat + extra running around = rashy thighs. Like prickly heat, I guess.

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It's most likely not the fabric, but something in the dye.

I bought a pair of yellow shorts a year ago that did the same thing. It was literally like I had ants in my pants every time I put them on. I finally threw them away.

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I agree with the above; perhaps the dye or detergent more so than the fiber itself. I had used a particular brand of detergent to wash my uniforms for years with no problem, and then developed an allergy to it. The rash and itching on my back and legs was bad enough, but I also ended up with it all over my feet (from my socks) --- even on the soles. Augh. That was misery...

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Sometimes stuff in fabric can stay in there awhile. I switched from store bought laundry products to some natural products. It took about 3 washings before I saw the big difference it made in our clothings. Store bought detergents build up in fabric making them irritable/harmful to our bodies, and dingy looking. Shaklee and Melaleuca both sell wonderful safe laundry products that reduce allergic reactions and are actually safer for your family and the environment.

If you are having this happen with those clothes and not all of them, it might be something in the fabric.

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