Neck irritation--like razor bumps but from dress shirt--solutions?

  • Hi, looking for information about neck irritation generated primarily from mechanical rubbing of a shirt collar (dress shirt, when buttoned and worn with a tie) on one's neck. When my collar is worn against my neck all day I usually get red bumps on my neck. If I am not wearing a tight shirt (closed collar), I am usually fine. I am looking for information on remedies and other things I can do to prevent / eliminate neck bumps caused not by razor blades but by this tight shirt rubbing. Prescription products, Over the counter, and other remedies would be great. Thanks!!!


  • Hello Jugger, What you describe sounds like it could be some form of contact irritant dermatitis, or possibly a mild skin infection. Irritant contact dermatitis, is a not an allergic skin inflammation, but is caused by irritants to the skin. Irritants commonly known to cause skin rashes are acids, lyes, soaps, sizing, bleach, spray starch, etc. "Dyes, elastic materials, fabric finishes such as sizing and permanent press, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners can cause dermatitis on the torso and arms and legs. "Some of those antistatic laundry products are really mean," says Shelley. "They can cause terrible problems. They set off itching, and people scratch, of course, which only makes things worse. It takes a lot of laundering to get that stuff out of the clothes." The feet can be affected by dyes, rubber compounds, and leather-tanning products in shoes, or elastic fibers in hosiery. Nickel--used in jewelry, bra fasteners, eyelash curlers, metallic eyeglass frames, and many other products--can produce inflammation wherever it touches the body. People may become sensitized to nickel from ear-piercing instruments and from nickel-plated earrings inserted after piercing." http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdacderm.html ?Your neck especially around the nape is one of the most sensitive and easily irritated areas of your body. Everyone knows how uncomfortable a hard, rough and scratchy label can be when it rubs directly against this area. This is usually caused by the polyester or nylon labels being cut out using a hot knife. Applying heat to the label fabric causes the fibres to 'bead' and stiffen creating a hard edge which is what you feel irritating your neck. Rivers take the extra time to use a super soft label that has its edges folded over rather than cut with a hot knife before it is attached to the garment, softening the edge and greatly reducing the irritability and discomfort.? http://www.rivers.com.au/tech_info/clothing_sss.htm ?Irritant contact dermatitis is usually treated with the following: Compresses, creams and ointments may assist healing oEmollient creams oTopical steroids oAntibiotics for secondary infection (usually flucloxacillin or erythromycin)? http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/contact-irritant.html EMedicine recommends having a culture taken to check for the presence of an underlying infection. (Bacteria that otherwise do not bother you, may overgrow when you wear a shirt and tie, creating a warm, moist breeding ground) EMedicine also recommends Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog, Amcort), Mometasone (Elocon), or Mupirocin (Bactroban) -- Topical antibiotic; inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting RNA and protein synthesis. These require a prescription, so you?ll need to see a doctor. http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic558.htm ?What causes it? Factors that contribute to the development of contact dermatitis include genetic predisposition, duration of exposure, friction, pressure, heat, cold or the presence of other skin diseases, especially eczema, which is often exacerbated by allergies. Pinpointing the causative agent can be difficult. It is important to consider the total environment: home, work, hobbies, medications, clothing, cosmetics, etc.? ?How is it treated? Treatment of contact dermatitis should begin as soon as eruption is identified. The first priority should be to avoid the offending agent if it is known. ?Burrows Cool Soaks? (a drying, soothing solution) may relieve itching and is especially good if there are weeping blisters. Over-the-counter products such as calamine lotion, hydro-cortisone 1% cream, or Benadryl may be tried first for mild conditions. Caladryl lotion should not be used as it may cause later sensitivity to oral Benadryl. If persistent, worsening or severe, prescription treatments are available after evaluation by a medical provider. If contact dermatitis has occurred from exposure to strong irritants, forceful and prolonged flushing with water should be used immediately, followed by a visit to Health Services.? You can ask your pharmacist how to get Burrow?s Solution. No prescription is needed. http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/general_health/dermatitis.htm ?The first is by means of irritation ? chemical or mechanical. This is called an irritant contact dermatitis. An example of a chemical irritant dermatitis is one caused by the detergents or cleansing compounds mentioned previously. An example of mechanical irritant dermatitis is one caused by prickly fiberglass particles, or the scratchiness of wool clothing next to the body. If the irritant is strong ? for instance, an accidental spill of lye on your hands ? a single exposure will cause a violent inflammatory reaction. The skin will become itchy, red, swollen, and often develop tiny water blisters, called "vesicles", or even large blisters.? ?The face is often affected by hygienic and cosmetic products, for instance, soaps, shampoos, creams, lipsticks, hair sprays, shaving creams and after-shave lotions.? http://www.stiefel.ca/en/about_skin/texte.html Other possible causes: Acne ?Acne may be triggered or worsened by external factors such as mechanical obstruction (i.e., helmets, shirt collars), occupational exposures, or medications.? http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040501/2123.html Acne keloidalis ?Acne keloidalis (AK) refers to the occurrence of keloidlike papules and plaques on the occipital scalp and the posterior part of the neck, almost exclusively in African American men. Initially, patients usually develop a chronic folliculitis and perifolliculitis of the occipital part of the scalp and the posterior part of the neck, which heal with keloidlike lesions, sometimes with discharging sinuses. They often coalesce to form one or several large plaques, which gradually enlarge for years. The lesions are often painful and cosmetically disfiguring.? ?Other frequently suggested etiologic possibilities are constant irritation from shirt collars, chronic low-grade bacterial infections, and an autoimmune process (AK usually responds to systemic steroid therapy). The use of antiepileptic drugs and an increased number of mast cells in the occipital region have also been indicated as causes. The recent findings of Sperling et al indicate that AK is a primary form of scarring alopecia. Many of the histologic findings closely resemble those found in certain other forms of scarring alopecia. They claim that overgrowth of microorganisms does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of AK. They also found no association between pseudofolliculitis barbae and AK.? http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic558.htm Further information: ?If it's not Cotton, it's Rotten. There is noting better against your skin than natural fibres. For this reason, all Rivers Cotton Shirts are made from 100% Cotton. In summer, Cotton is even more important. Rivers Cotton shirts have high moisture absorption and wickability, which is the ability to transmit perspiration away from the body. Heat escapes to keep you cool. Stand next to someone wearing a synthetic shirt and you will know why cotton is the only fabric for summer.? This shirt manufacturer is on to something here! Cotton shirts can be helpful! http://www.rivers.com.au/tech_info/clothing_sss.htm You?re not alone! ?As seen on: David Hasselhoff, Alan Hansen (in the past). This is weird, says Charlie Porter. "Some men get neck rash from wearing a tie, so you need to open a shirt up. I don't know who would want to do this but it's slightly repressive." Needs to be a skinny-fit shirt or with button-down collars to work, says Ms Hayward.? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4553097.stm Here is a product, patent pending, that may interest you. I have been unable to find this product being manufactured yet. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20040098785.html The product the commenter mentions may or may not help you out! This product, Trend Skin, is made of acetylsalicylic acid, propylene glycol, glycerine, and isopropyl alcohol, and seems rather expensive for what it is. Acetylsalicylic acid is aspirin. Propylene glycol is a natural gas derivative, and gives products "body". "Glycerine (glycerin, glycerol) is the main by-product of making biodiesel. The name comes from the Greek word glykys meaning sweet. It is a colourless, odourless, viscous, nontoxic liquid with a very sweet taste and has literally thousands of uses. That is, pure glycerine has thousands of uses -- the biodiesel by-product is crude (and it's not colourless, and it's not only glycerine)." http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_glycerin.html Useful things to try: ===================== Wash your shirts at home, in Ivory Snow or Dreft, use no form of fabric softener (No liquid OR dryer sheets. Run your shirts through an extra rinse cycle, to remove all traces of detergent. Use no starch, liquid or spray, on the collars of your shirts. Don?t wear your shirts more than once, before laundering. Use an anti-bacterial soap in the shower. Use only a mild shampoo, avoid conditioners, pomades and hair gels/hair sprays. Wash your hair every day. If your hair is over your collar, consider a shorter hair style to allow an air flow to your neck. Make sure your neck is very dry before dressing. Lightly dust your neck with a medicated powder, before dressing. When you get home from work, you could try applying an over the counter ointment like Neosporin. (This is greasy, so you might want to wear an old COTTON tee shirt.) Change your pillowcase every night. Don?t wear any chains or jewelry around your neck. Loosen your collar and tie when you can, during the day! Remove shirt labels if possible, or cover with a soft bandage tape. Can you place a fan in your workplace, to keep yourself cool? Its important to keep the neck clean and dry (Free of perspiration) Lastly, if none of these do the trick, check with your doctor, to rule out anything more serious. ?Medications: New medications known as immuno-modulators have been developed that help control inflammation and reduce immune system reactions when applied to the skin. Examples of these medications are tacrolimus ointment (Protopic*) and pimecrolimus cream (Elidel). They can be used in patients older than 2 years of age and have few side effects (burning or itching the first few days of application). They not only reduce flares, but also maintain skin texture and reduce the need for long-term use of corticosteroids.? http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/dermatitis/#link_i Neosporin http://www.neosporin.com/index.htm Medicated Powders http://www.drugstore.com/qxp10823_333181_sespider/mexsana/medicated_antiseptic_powder.htm http://www.drugstore.com/qxp10734_333181_sespider/ammens/medicated_powder_original_formula.htm http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002VAVPQ/sr=1-24/qid=1129008954/ref=sr_1_24/104-7472269-1049517?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=3762911&s=hpc&v=glance Medicated Body Lotion http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002VAVQU/sr=1-14/qid=1129008954/ref=sr_1_14/104-7472269-1049517?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=3762911&s=hpc&v=glance Caladryl http://www.dermadoctor.com/product.asp?AID=5210&productid=131 This is an interesting product that may help: http://www.cachebeauty.com/wholsale/sanek.htm I hope this has helped you out! If any part of my answer is unclear, I will be happy to assist you further, if you request an Answer Clarification, before rating. Sincerely, Crabcakes Search Terms ============ Contact dermatitis Irritant dermatitis neck irritation + shirt collars







  • #If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.#
    Your name:
    E-mail:
    Telphone:

    Your comments:


    If you have any other info about Neck irritation--like razor bumps but from dress shirt--solutions? , Please add it free.