ask dr. gott Fabric causes rashes

Q: You recently published a letter from someone who wrote about a skin rash. The person had tried various creams, lotions and had been to several dermatologists for treatment and medication, with little or no help.

I am an 83-year-old male. About 20 years ago, I had this same problem. My wife suggested that I stop wearing clothes that had polyester, wool or acrylic. I began wearing only cotton underclothes, shirts, sweaters, etc. The rash cleared up within weeks, and I have not had it since. If I do wear a sweater and sit in a chair covered with polyester for any length of time, I can feel the itching coming on.

A: This is yet another cause of skin rash that is commonly overlooked. Most physicians think of detergents and soaps but not the actual fabrics as being skin irritants.

Wool is a natural material that is known for causing itchy skin and rashes owing to its coarse nature. Both polyester and acrylic fabrics are synthetic and are relatively smooth on the skin. Cotton is both natural and easy on the skin. In fact, cotton has made a huge comeback, as more and more people are interested in easy-to-care-for, comfortable, sturdy fabrics.

Thanks for writing to share your story. I hope it will help others suffering from persistent skin rashes that fail to respond to treatment. I'm also glad the soap reduced your leg cramps.

Q: I need a hearing aid. The cost is a big factor. I have often wondered why there are never any used ones offered by the hearing-aid sellers. There must be many that could be made available at a big savings. In an age of relatively inexpensive electronics, hearing aids have not come down in price. Could it be that the manufacturers have this under control?

A: Hearing aids have not come down in price because each device is custom-made. Every person's ear canal is shaped differently. To ensure proper fit and function, the hearing aid must be shaped to fit comfortably yet snugly. If it were one size fits all, many people would find that the aids are too big or too small, causing discomfort and dislodging.

If you have health insurance and can show medical necessity, part, if not all, may be covered; however, many insurance companies will not cover the costs. I suggest you seek out a place that will work with you to find an affordable hearing aid and set up a payment plan.

Q: Recently, you printed a letter about using nail hardener to remove moles. I have many seborrheic keratoses that itch, bleed and are extremely annoying. I have a skin check every year.

A: The nail-hardener remedy is beneficial for the removal of skin tags. I have received only one letter stating that it was used successfully to remove moles. However, I have heard from several readers about using mentholated chest rub to remove a seborrheic keratosis.