Health
Wearing poorly dried clothes may trigger ringworm, eczema — Dermatologists
Wearing poorly dried clothes, particularly those that took days to dry due to daily rainfall and were not rewashed, can predispose wearers to ringworm, jock itch, and eczema, skin specialists have said.
The dermatologists explained that clothes that remain wet or are not thoroughly dried before use can harbour fungi, bacteria, and mould, particularly when dried in poorly ventilated or humid environments.
They noted that wearing such clothing for prolonged periods may trigger fungal infections, skin irritation, itching, and worsen existing skin conditions, especially in people with sensitive skin.
During the rainy season in Nigeria, many families struggle to dry their washed clothes.
The frequent rainfall and cloudy skies often prevent clothes from drying properly, forcing families to leave them on clotheslines, balconies, or indoors for several days.
During this period, freshly washed clothes barely have time to dry before another downpour drenches them again.
As a result, the clothes are repeatedly exposed to moisture and may remain damp for days or, in some cases, more than a week before they dry completely.
But skin specialists have said that wearing clothes repeatedly exposed to moisture without being rewashed or properly dried could pose risks to the skin.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, a Professor of Medicine and Dermatology, Madubuko Roli, said that while wearing damp clothes that are improperly dried may not cause serious illnesses, it can increase the risk of several skin problems.
She explained that rainwater is not clean, adding that as it falls through the atmosphere, it comes into contact with dust, debris from roofs and roads, environmental pollutants, and other contaminants.
According to her, rainwater can carry chemicals, bacteria, and fungal spores, and when these contaminants become trapped in clothing fabrics spread outside to dry, they may pose health risks to the skin.
She said, “When wet clothes are left to dry slowly, particularly in humid conditions, they create an environment where bacteria and fungi can multiply. Wearing such clothes without washing them again may predispose individuals to fungal and bacterial skin infections.”
Roli, who is a Consultant Physician/Dermatologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, said the skin infection depends on the types of clothing involved.
“For regular clothing worn over the body, it may lead to ringworm, which we medically call tinea corporis.
“For underwear, such as boxers or panties that were soaked by rain and later worn again without rewashing, the wearer may develop what is commonly known as jock itch, which dermatologists refer to as tinea cruris.
“Similarly, stockings or socks that were left to dry outside, became soaked by rain, and were later worn again without rewashing may harbour fungal spores. This can result in what is popularly known as athlete’s foot, medically called tinea pedis, where whitish scaling and peeling develop between the toes,” the skin expert said.
She said people with weakened immune systems, such as individuals living with diabetes, older adults, and young children, are susceptible to the fungal infections.
“These groups are more susceptible to developing infections from wearing damp clothes that have remained wet for prolonged periods without being washed,” Roli said.
Apart from fungal infections, she explained that bacterial skin infections are also a concern because rainwater is not sterile.
“Bacteria can multiply in damp fabrics, increasing the risk of skin conditions such as folliculitis and recurrent boils.
“Another concern is allergic skin reactions. Some of the contaminants trapped in rain-soaked clothes may include chemicals that irritate the skin, resulting in eczema, particularly irritant contact dermatitis. This is especially important for people with atopic conditions, such as those with asthma or individuals who are naturally prone to allergies,” she said.
The dermatologist explained that damp clothing may also lead to body odour.
“When clothes remain wet for a long period after being soaked by contaminated rainwater, microorganisms can grow within the fabric, producing unpleasant odours that become noticeable when the clothes are worn,” Roli said.
The skin expert advised Nigerians to ensure that clothes are completely dry before wearing them and, where possible, garments that have been dried indoors or in damp conditions should be ironed.
She stressed that maintaining proper clothing hygiene, especially during the rainy season, is essential to preventing avoidable skin infections and protecting overall skin health.
On her part, a Consultant Dermatologist at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Dr Nkiruka Onodugo, said wearing such clothing without being rewashed is “not a good practice”.
“These clothes are a good medium for the growth of fungi, and patients can develop skin fungal infections after wearing them. Notable is infection with Pityriasis versicolor, known by different names in different dialects, like ngwo in Igbo, ifo in Yoruba, and makenkero in Hausa,” she said.
She listed the “back, chest, upper arms, and face” as specific areas of the body that are more susceptible to infections from wearing such clothes.
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