Is what you wear making you ill?

You probably wouldn't connect getting ill with what you wear, but perhaps you should.

nude female torso When it comes to being healthy, you probably don't give your clothes a second thought. But perhaps you should. The reality is that what you wear could play a crucial role in your health, even making you ill if you continually wear the wrong items. But what exactly are the leading illness-inducing culprits?

Incorrectly fitting bras
When they fit correctly, bras provide good comfortable support. But if you're wearing the wrong size, or have grown out of your bra, it can cause all sorts of problems. Whether too small or too big, incorrectly fitting bras can cause neck and shoulder pain, often affecting your posture and giving no support. Plus, they can chaff your skin and leave red, sore marks and make your breasts look saggy – not a good look.

Solution
Get yourself measured and find out the size you should be wearing, then treat yourself to some new bras.

High heeled, incorrectly fitting or uncomfortable shoes
Huge wedges, high stilettos, pointy toes and shoes you can't resist - even if they don't quite fit - could be putting your feet through hell. Common ailments caused by shoes include corns, calluses, bunions and bent toes. If you wear shoes that are too small, they could cause foot and leg pain. Sadly, the more you wear the culprits, the worse the problems get.

Solution
Splash out on a new pair of shoes that fit properly, are comfy, don't have pointy toes or massively high heels. It's a great excuse to go shoe shopping and your feet will thank you for it. Alternatively, make a pact to only wear certain shoes occasionally, so your feet won't suffer regularly.

Skinny jeans, tights and nylon underwear
Skinny jeans may look great on but, along with tights and nylon underwear, they increase the risk of the yeast infection thrush, especially if you wear them regularly. This is because Candida albicans, the thrush fungus, thrives in warm, dark and moist conditions.

Solution
Ditch your nylon undies in favour of cotton. Wear skinny jeans and tights in moderation and, if you start to develop thrush, get it treated promptly.

Sunglasses without UV protection
Sunglasses are a popular accessory, but if they haven't got UV protection, your eyes could be exposed to harmful rays. The suns ultraviolet rays are absorbed by the surface of the cornea and can reach the retina. Long term exposure causes permanent damage and increases the risk of cataracts and other eye problems.

Solution
Trade in your UV-free sunglasses for a model that offers the added protection and look for the British Standard BSEN 1836:1997 when you're buying. Products sold under BS 2724 have a shade number showing how much UV they let through – higher numbers offer better protection.

Thongs
They eliminate VPL, but those pesky thongs can rub in awkward places and be uncomfortable to wear for too long. Plus, there's a chance they can increase the spread of bacteria between the vagina and anus and up the risk of thrush and cystitis.

Solution
If you can't give up thongs completely, wear them in moderation or only under skimpy outfits. Invest in some healthier undies that won't put your health at risk.

Published: 23 August 2006