Wearing poorly dried clothes may trigger ringworm, eczema — Dermatologists

Skin specialists are warning that wearing clothes that have not been dried properly, particularly those that take days to dry due to persistent rain and are not rewashed, can significantly increase the risk of developing skin conditions such as ringworm, jock itch, and eczema.

“

When wet clothes are left to dry slowly, particularly in humid conditions, they create an environment where bacteria and fungi can multiply.

The primary concern lies in the potential for damp or inadequately dried clothing to become a breeding ground for fungi, bacteria, and mold. These microorganisms flourish in humid and poorly ventilated conditions, which are common during extended rainy seasons. Prolonged wear of such clothing can trigger fungal infections, cause skin irritation and itching, and exacerbate existing skin conditions, especially for individuals with sensitive skin.

During Nigeria's rainy season, many families face challenges in drying laundry. Frequent rainfall and overcast skies often mean clothes remain damp for days, sometimes over a week, before they can dry completely. This cycle of repeated exposure to moisture and insufficient drying poses a risk to skin health.

“

Wearing such clothes without washing them again may predispose individuals to fungal and bacterial skin infections.

Professor of Medicine and Dermatology, Madubuko Roli, explained that while wearing damp clothes may not cause severe illnesses, it heightens the likelihood of various skin problems. She noted that rainwater itself is not clean, accumulating dust, debris, pollutants, and other contaminants as it falls. When these contaminants get trapped in clothing fabrics left to dry outdoors, they can pose health risks.

“

For regular clothing worn over the body, it may lead to ringworm, which we medically call tinea corporis.

"When wet clothes are left to dry slowly, particularly in humid conditions, they create an environment where bacteria and fungi can multiply," Roli stated. "Wearing such clothes without washing them again may predispose individuals to fungal and bacterial skin infections." She further elaborated that clothing types matter: regular clothing worn on the body might lead to tinea corporis (ringworm), while underwear soaked by rain and worn again without rewashing could result in tinea cruris (jock itch). Similarly, socks exposed to rain and worn damp could cause infections.

“

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.