14 Clothing Items That Are Bad For Your Health

Whether you tend to follow the trends or prefer to set them yourself, not all clothing is created equal when it comes to its impact on your health. While different items may make you feel stylish, sophisticated, and sexy, it's important to pay attention to the various health risks that are associated with certain types of clothing, no matter how much of a fashion risk-taker you may be. In order to look and feel your best, it's best to size up the potential health hazards before trying some of the following items on for size.

Thong underwear is a popular choice for women today, not only in terms of a thong's sultry nature, but also due to the fact that it eliminates the dreaded underwear lines that can result from wearing full-coverage undies, particularly with form-fitting outfits. And while the thought of putting on granny panties may be a less-than-appealing option, it's important to understand that there are actually health risks associated with wearing barely-there underwear. For instance, if you're someone who's prone to UTIs or other infections, wearing a thong can make the recovery process more difficult. Additionally, depending upon your activity level, the back part of your thong can have a tendency to slide forward and transfer bacteria to your vagina. If that's not alarming enough, wearing thongs has also been associated with the development of hemorrhoids. So if you're looking for underwear that works for you and not against you, full-coverage underwear has got you covered in every respect.

Skinny jeans have become increasingly popular over the last few years. And unlike their baggy and boxy counterparts, skinny jeans hug every curve of your body and are tight around your hips, buttocks, crotch, legs, calves, and ankles. And while skinny jeans may be your go-to, you should be aware of the fact that when you put them on, you're actually putting yourself in harm's way. To begin with, the sheer tightness of skinny jeans can cause numbness and tingling in your legs, and their tautness around your waist has even been linked to acid reflux. To make matters worse, there have been known cases of skinny jeans exacerbating a condition called compartment syndrome, which is caused by the buildup of pressure from the swelling of body tissues. Now that you have the skinny on skinny jeans, maybe you'll rather put on a looser pair that are more comfortable and healthier.

When it comes to statement pieces and eye-catching jewelry, today's fashion philosophy seems to be the bigger the better. And while earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings are becoming more and more enormous, when you bedazzle yourself with these kinds of weighty accessories, a number of consequences may be heading your way. First, many of today's earrings are so heavy and large that women can end up inadvertently stretching or tearing their earlobes as a result. In fact, these giant earrings have a tendency to get hooked onto objects or even ripped out by unknowing children. To that end, heavy necklaces and chains can place a great deal of strain and pressure on your neck, back, and chest, and oversized bracelets and rings have been known to cause wrist, arm, hand, and finger pain. Unless you're interested in going from the jewelry store to the doctor's office, it's in your best interest to accessorize with a smaller size.

Have you ever gotten a rash after sporting a particular piece of clothing? The clothes you wear are made up of different kinds of fibers, fabrics, and materials, but there are also products used in the manufacturing process of many articles of clothing that can be potentially harmful to your health. For example, some clothing contains formaldehyde, flame retardants, dyes, or latex, all of which can cause allergic reactions. So in order to avoid potential skin irritations, rashes, or worse, it's important to find clothing that supports your healthy lifestyle. Whenever possible, wear loose-fitting, all-natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, and cashmere. And as a general rule of thumb, try to stick with light colors as they typically contain less dye. In fact, if the tag on an article of clothing instructs you to wash the item separately from others in order to avoid the spreading of color, it's best to separate yourself from that piece of clothing and avoid it altogether.

While bathing suits are associated with pool parties and beach vacations (fun, right?), there are actually big health problems that can arise due to this small article of clothing. On the one hand, the minimal sun coverage that bathing suits provide, particularly bikinis, can make you more vulnerable to certain types of skin cancers. After all, more surface area of your skin can potentially be exposed to sunlight and harmful UV rays. Further, the lack of material and coverage can also set the stage for neck, back, and shoulder pain since many bathing suit tops can be very limited in terms of the support they provide your chest. But when bathing suits become wet, a whole slew of new health concerns can arise. In fact, bacteria likes to grow in dark, wet places, and if you're sitting around in your wet bathing suit all day, it increases your risk of developing a yeast infection or a UTI, especially when you take into account the other types of bacteria that are already present in the water. So in order to avoid a major bathing suit blunder, be sure to change out of your wet top and bottom as soon as you can and load up on sunscreen. It's also worth purchasing a bikini top that provides enough support – the good news is that there are many websites and brands that have bathing suits designed for this very purpose.

Nickel is used in numerous accessories and found on many different articles of clothing. If you've ever experienced itchiness or redness after wearing certain earrings, bracelets, or eyeglasses, or if you've ever had a rash when a zipper rubbed against your skin, it's important to consult with your doctor to determine if you have a nickel allergy. In fact, it's one of the most common types of skin allergies, so it's best to take steps to limit your contact with nickel whenever possible. You can still wear jewelry, but your best options are to pick stainless steel, silver, and platinum pieces. If you're up for a splurge, high-quality yellow gold is a classic pick. In terms of your clothing choices, look for items that contain plastic snaps and buttons instead of metal, or you can even paint over the metal so it doesn't come in contact with your skin directly.

As the seasons change, so do the clothing styles that are splashed across television stations and fashion magazine covers. And while staying on-trend may be of great importance to you, some looks may not be particularly appealing to you for whatever reason. For example, while you may like the look of cropped tops, you may find that you don't feel totally at ease when you're wearing one in public. Research has shown that there's a strong connection between attire and mood, so when it comes to selecting the right types of clothing that are beneficial to your health, it's imperative to consider your emotional health as well. That means wearing the clothes, styles, and trends that make you feel good about yourself, and avoiding the ones that don't. In fact, if you're uncomfortable in your clothes, you may feel anxious, nervous, or self-conscious, and you may find that your concentration level and productivity will start to decline as a result. On the flip side, if you're feeling confident and comfortable in what you're wearing, your mood and outlook are likely to be more positive. So if you truly want to make your health and well-being a priority, it's important to be your authentic self and wear the clothes that make you feel your very best.