Some people develop rashes, strange odors, or even brain fog after putting on certain new clothes — especially ultra-cheap, fast-fashion items. Could chemicals in clothing be to blame?
Quick Facts
Modern textiles may contain dyes, resins, plasticizers, and stain-repellent coatings.
For some people, these chemicals can trigger rashes, itching, headaches, or a sense of being "poisoned."
Fast-fashion platforms have been repeatedly investigated for unsafe chemical levels in some products.
Washing, fabric choices, and simple home remedies may reduce symptoms for sensitive individuals.
Important Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified health-care provider for any persistent or concerning symptoms.
Addressing a Reader Question: Are Clothes from Temu and Shein Toxic?
A reader recently wrote in after watching a video warning about chemicals in clothing from ultra-cheap online platforms based in China. They noticed unusual symptoms and changes in their body after wearing these clothes and stopped ordering, but struggled to find clear evidence and advice.
Questions they asked:
Are chemicals and toxins in cheap clothing really a problem?
Can clothes from companies like Temu or Shein affect mood, behavior, or physical symptoms?
What can sensitive people do to protect themselves?
This article explores what is currently known, what is still uncertain, and practical steps that readers have found helpful.
What Is “Toxic Clothing”?
“Toxic clothing” is not an official medical term. It’s a common-sense phrase people use when they notice they feel unwell from certain fabrics, dyes, or finishes.
Common concerns include:
Rashes or itching where fabric touches the skin.
Strong chemical or “plastic” odors from new garments.
Headaches, dizziness, or feeling “off” when wearing specific items.
Symptoms that improve quickly after removing the clothing.
Dermatologists often label skin reactions from fabrics and dyes as textile contact dermatitis. People with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) may report additional systemic symptoms.
Common Symptoms & Reactions from Clothing
Not everyone reacts to textile chemicals, but when they do, symptoms may be divided into two categories:
Skin Symptoms (Textile Contact Dermatitis)
Rashes: Red, itchy patches where clothing rubs (waistbands, armpits, inner thighs, bra lines, sock lines).
Irritation: Burning, stinging, or prickling sensations.
Appearance: Dry, scaling, or thickened skin, often in specific patterns matching clothing seams or elastic bands.
Severe Cases: Occasional blisters or oozing.
Whole-Body or “Systemic” Symptoms (Anecdotal/MCS)
Cognitive: Headaches or brain fog when wearing certain garments.
Fatigue: Fatigue or “toxic” feeling that lifts when the clothing is removed.
Respiratory: Worsening of sinus, asthma, or migraine patterns after buying new clothes.
Research is strongest for skin reactions. Systemic symptoms are less studied but are reported frequently by sensitive people, so it’s reasonable to listen to your body and observe patterns.
The 5 Main Chemical Culprits in Modern Clothing
Many textiles go through multiple chemical steps. Depending on the factory and regulations, clothes may contain substances that can cause irritation or off-gassing:
Concern: Some azo dyes can break down into aromatic amines, linked to allergic reactions.
Pattern: People may notice rashes where dark, tight clothing sits on sweaty skin.
2. Formaldehyde-Containing Resins
Use: To make fabrics “wrinkle free” or “easy care” (i.e., less ironing).
Concern: Can irritate skin and mucous membranes.
Found In: No-iron shirts, synthetic uniforms, and sometimes sheets.
3. PFAS & Other Stain- / Water-Repellent Coatings
Use: To make fabrics water-resistant, stain-resistant, or “performance” oriented.
Concern: PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are environmentally persistent and have been linked to hormone and immune disruption in some studies.
Found In: Outerwear, sportswear, and some kids’ clothing.
4. Plasticizers, Flame Retardants & Softeners
Use: Phthalates and other plasticizers appear in prints, logos, faux leather, and coated fabrics. Flame retardants are found on some children’s sleepwear and uniforms.
Concern: Can contribute to off-gassing and skin or respiratory irritation.
5. Metals & Miscellaneous Allergens
Nickel: A common cause of metal allergy rashes, found in snaps, zippers, and buttons.
Rubber Accelerators: Chemicals in elastic and rubber in waistbands and socks can also trigger dermatitis.
In many countries, there are legal limits for some of these substances, but enforcement is uneven, especially for low-cost imports and ultra-fast fashion.
Fast Fashion, Temu, Shein & Safety Concerns
Ultra-fast fashion platforms can release thousands of new styles per day at extremely low prices. This speed and cost pressure raises questions about quality control:
How carefully raw materials and dyes are vetted.
Whether factories consistently follow best practices and legal limits for hazardous chemicals.
How often random safety testing is performed on finished garments.
Government agencies and consumer groups in different countries have reported garments or accessories from some ultra-cheap platforms that contained chemicals above legal limits. Not every item is tested, and not every product is dangerous, but repeated findings have made regulators pay close attention.
Bottom line: It’s reasonable to be cautious, especially if you notice new symptoms after wearing clothing from a particular brand, platform, or factory.
Who Is Most Sensitive to Toxic Clothing?
Anyone can react, but some groups may be more vulnerable to textile chemicals:
Skin Conditions: People with a history of eczema, psoriasis, or chronic rashes.
Chemical Sensitivity: Those with known multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) or mast cell activation symptoms.
Children: Babies and children, whose skin is thinner and surface-area-to-body-weight ratio is higher.
Environment: People who live in hot, humid climates or sweat heavily in their clothes.
Occupation: Workers required to wear synthetic uniforms for long shifts.
Genetics, overall toxic load, and the state of the liver, kidneys and gut all likely play roles in how the body handles chemical exposures from clothing and the rest of the environment.
Action Plan: What To Do If You React to Clothing
First Steps (Immediate Action)
Stop wearing the suspected item immediately.
Rinse your skin with cool or lukewarm water; avoid hot showers that may increase absorption.
Change clothes and switch to soft, breathable, previously tolerated clothing while symptoms calm down.
Seek urgent care if symptoms are severe, spreading quickly, or involve breathing difficulty.
Track Patterns
Note the brand, fabric type (polyester, rayon, cotton blend, etc.), color, and where it was made.
Pay attention to where the rash appears — does it match seams, elastic bands or printed logos?
Record how quickly symptoms improve after removing the clothing.
Wash Before Wear (Especially for Fast Fashion)
Wash new garments at least once or twice before wearing, especially if they smell strongly of chemicals or dyes.
Use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent; consider an extra rinse cycle.
For sturdy garments, some people use a warm or hot wash (check the label first).
Air dry when possible; avoid dryer sheets, which add more chemicals to fibers.
Home Strategies & Natural Remedies for Clothing Reactions
Always patch test new products on a small area of skin first and avoid using anything irritating on broken or weeping skin.
1. Soothing the Skin
Cool Compresses: A clean, cool, damp cloth on the rash for 10–15 minutes can reduce burning and itching.
Oatmeal Baths: Colloidal oatmeal or finely ground oats in lukewarm bathwater can calm irritated skin.
Aloe Vera Gel: Pure, additive-free aloe can cool and lightly moisturize.
Oils: For some, thin layers of coconut or olive oil help dryness. Others may find oils trap heat, so listen to your skin.
2. Gentle Topical Rinses (Anecdotal)
Some readers use very diluted solutions to calm itching, but avoid if your skin is broken or very sensitive:
Weak Baking Soda Rinse: A small amount of baking soda dissolved in plenty of water, gently patted on and rinsed off.
Very Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): A tiny splash of ACV in a cup of water, dabbed quickly and rinsed, may help balance skin surface for some users.
3. Supporting Detox Pathways (General Wellness)
While there’s limited research specifically on “detoxing from clothing,” general liver and skin support often includes:
Staying well hydrated with clean water or herbal teas.
Eating colorful vegetables, especially those that support liver function (cruciferous vegetables, beets, etc.).
Supporting bowel regularity to excrete toxins.
Light sweating through gentle exercise, if tolerated.
Safer Shopping & Fabric Tips
You cannot completely avoid modern chemicals, but you can often lower your exposure, especially if you’re sensitive.
1. Choose Simpler Fabrics
Look for undyed or lightly dyed organic cotton, linen, hemp or wool when possible.
Avoid heavily printed areas directly on the skin (large plastic logos, vinyl prints, faux leather panels).
Consider wearing a natural-fiber layer under synthetic uniforms or outerwear.
2. Pay Attention to Labels & Certifications
Certifications like OEKO-TEX® (tests for harmful substances) or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) can indicate tighter limits on certain chemicals.
Brands that publish their chemical policies and testing results are often safer for sensitive people.
3. Smell & Feel Tests
If a garment has a very strong chemical, plastic, or petroleum odor, assume it needs multiple washes — or skip it.
Notice how you feel after handling clothes in the fitting room or at home; headache or nausea is a sign to step away.
4. Treat Ultra-Cheap Clothing with Extra Caution
Very low pricing, no brand transparency, and lightning-fast trends can be red flags.
If you choose to buy from these platforms, wash garments thoroughly first and avoid using them as sleepwear or for children until you see how your body reacts.
When To See a Doctor
Contact a health-care provider (preferably a dermatologist or allergist) if you notice:
Rashes that last more than a week despite avoiding the suspected clothing.
Blistering, weeping, or painful skin lesions.
Rashes around the eyes, mouth, or genitals.
Any trouble breathing, throat tightness, or swelling of the tongue or face (call emergency services).
Ask whether patch testing might help identify specific dyes, resins, or metals that you should avoid. Bringing the actual garments (or photo and label information) can be very helpful.
Help This Reader: Share Your Experience
If you’ve had reactions to clothing — especially from fast-fashion or ultra-cheap platforms — please share your story below. Helpful details include:
The type of garment (leggings, bras, tops, socks, uniforms, etc.).
Fabric blend, color, and whether it was wrinkle-free, stain-resistant, or deeply saturated in dark dyes.
Where on the body the rash or symptoms appeared and how quickly.
What helped you recover (washing methods, fabric changes, topical or internal remedies).
Any brands or certifications that have been safer for you.
Your experiences can make a huge difference for chemically sensitive readers who are trying to stay clothed and comfortable in a world full of synthetic textiles.
Do you suspect your clothes are making you sick? Scroll down to read reader reports and add your own experience.
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Susan (New Braunfels, Tx) on 12/01/2025 ★★★★★
I saw a warning on YouTube about chemicals and toxins on clothing made in China, precisely from companies of Temu and Shein. I personally have observed unusual behavior and symptoms. I immediately stopped ordering but cannot not find much evidence to prove to be true, although I am not doubting. Can you all help with any advice? Thank you greatly!
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