What is DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing?
DermaSilk is a range of protective, medical quality underclothing. It acts to help control the temperature and humidity of the wearer and has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the itch and discomfort that is disruptive to sleep and daily life.
The garments have been available on NHS Prescription since 2007 and have been widely prescribed by Dermatology and Paediatric specialists since then.
How do I use them?
DermaSilk garments are used as preventative therapy and are designed to be worn 24 hours per day, seven days a week. They are worn as underclothing next to the skin under any normal form of clothing. As they control temperature they are suitable to be worn at night underneath pyjamas. This way they help to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of eczema flares.
Do they replace other medicines?
No, DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing is not designed to replace any medications and these should be continued to be used as your doctor has directed. Only a thin layer of emollient (moisturising cream) should be applied to the skin and allowed to be absorbed for a few minutes before putting on the DermaSilk garments.
The amount of cream required to be applied may reduce over time as the condition of the skin improves and the use of other certain medications used to control the flares may also be reduced.
The properties of DermaSilk will not wash or wear out of the garment.
How do I care for them?
These garments will last as long as normal underclothing providing they are cared for correctly. Generally 2-3 sets of garments should be rotated in order to give them a chance to recover their shape between wearing but repeat prescribing or re-purchase should only be necessary once a garment is too small.
Guidance to ensure that your DermaSilk garments give you long service
- Don't use bleach. Silk hates bleach so make sure there are no bleaching agents in your detergent.
- Don't use fabric softeners as these coat the silk fibres and block its activity.
- Don't tumble dry. It is possible to over-dry silk which will affect its comfort and shape.
The choice of washing method is yours. Either wash by hand using a mild detergent such as simple hair shampoo or pop the garments in a net bag and wash in the machine on a delicate cycle using a non-biological (enzyme free) detergent.
In the case of heavy soiling or in hard water areas, an occasional overnight soak in a solution of 2 tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate per litre of water, followed by a standard wash will help to restore the garments to their normal state.
Finally, DermaSilk is pre-shrunk in manufacture and so any reduction in length is purely due to a tightening of the knit. A cool steam iron can be used to restore the shape of any garment which appears to have shrunk.
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