The Brogue Hog

Copyright 2005 Herbal Luxuries

Persons who suffer with dermatitis or sensitive skin have a
difficult time living day to day avoiding allergens and the
dreaded rash, itching and discomfort that comes with it. I have
sensitive skin and prone to develop contact dermatitis at any
time often reacting to something next to my skin that I have
used for long periods of time. I recently had to discard my
favorite pair of pants after months of developing a rash on my
stomach and side whenever I wore them. How could this be I said
to myself, of all the things in the world to have, why did I
inherit this strange skin?

While researching the matter I came across some interesting
information regarding contact dermatitis and clothing. It seems
there are quite a few people who develop contact dermatitis from
formaldehyde resins which are used for textile finishes.
Apparently it’s pretty common in women but men can also develop
the condition if they have sensitive skin. I was amazed and had
no idea that formaldehyde was used on fabrics. Can you imagine
being allergic to your clothes? If you are experiencing a
chronic recurring rash on various part of your body,
particularly where clothes fit tightly you may want to contact
your Dermatologist and request testing for this sensitivity. The
rash can get particularly irritated from perspiration and in
areas where the friction of the fabric rubs against the skin.

According to the American Contact Dermatitis Society common
eruption sites include the posterior neck, upper back, lateral
thorax (part of the body between the head or neck and abdomen),
waistband and flexor (fingers) surfaces. It can however appear
in other areas like the forehead if you wear a cap that’s been
treated with formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is used to make clothing that is wrinkle resistant
(permanent press) and these can release significant amounts of
the substance. The American Contact Dermatitis Society states
that rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100%
cotton, and any synthetic blended polymer are likely to have
been treated with formaldehyde resins. Women’s clothing also
includes lingerie and undergarments.

Many individuals are allergic to formaldehyde and know to avoid
personal care products that contain formaldehyde releasing
preservatives. Keep in mind that many pharmaceuticals including
OTC drugs also use these same preservatives so it’s not limited
to skin care products. For those sensitive to formaldehyde
clothing can also be a stong source of irritation.

Each country has its own manufacturing standards for acceptable
levels for formaldehyde resins. A low indicator of formaldehyde
releasing resin would be 75 ppm which is the Japanese standard,
the US standard is somewhere near 300ppm, quite a difference.

Fabrics safe to wear: 100% silk, 100% linen (if it wrinkles
easy), 100% polyester, 100% acrylic, 100% nylon, spandex,
flannel (soft), wool (may cause irritation) and denim.

Do not wear these fabrics: Permanent press, wrinkle resistant,
color-fast, stain-resistant, blends (including rayon,
polyester-cotton), corduroy or shrink-proof wool.

It is suggested that you read the labels in your existing
clothing and separate them in your closet so you will know
what’s safe to wear. Always opt for loose fitting clothing since
friction and perspiration can cause the condition to flare. Read
the labels in any new clothing before you purchase. Clothes made
in Japan are the safest and companies that sell clothes in Japan
also have to meet the Japanese standard.

Companies that meet the Japanese standard: GAP, Old Navy, Banana
Republic, Liz Claiborne, Eddie Bauer, Cuddle Duds and Levi
Strauss. There may be others but these were on the list from the
American Contact Dermatitis Society.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have this sensitivity
please contact your dermatologist to be tested. Also visit the
website of The American Contact Dermatitis Society for more
detailed information.

Exercise treadmills bring the outdoors inside so you can enjoy the benefits of running without leaving your house. They can be very useful for people who don’t feel safe running out of doors and are popular with female runners.

But what needs to be considered when making the decision to use one? Are they a good substitute for running? Do I buy one? Are they expensive and what type should I buy?

Are exercise treadmills worth the cost?
Before you consider whether you need to buy one, you may like to answer the following questions.

1. Do you run at present?
If the answer is NO, can you be sure it won’t end up as an expensive clothes hanger gathering dust in a few months time. Maybe try an exercise treadmill at the gym or start a running in the local park so you can judge whether you will enjoy running.

If you answer YES and have made a long-term commitment, appreciate that road running and using exercise treadmills are quite different activities. Personally, I prefer to stick to the roads but there may be reasons why you would like a treadmill.

2. What are your reasons for running?
If you are running to lose weight then exercise treadmills are popular where you may feel self-conscious about running in public or the gym. A treadmill offers a great way to start.

If you are running to keep fit and you feel safe running in your local area then road-running may be a better option. However, if environmental conditions make training difficult at times, an exercise treadmill is a good alternative to keep your on the move.

3. Can you use your local gym
The treadmill is the most common piece of gym equipment, even in an ill-equipped one. Of course you still have to pay gym membership or an entrance fee but you do have other machines to use. They may even have a swimming pool for a cool down following your run.

But again you may not want to run in front of all those fit individuals or your gym is inconvenient to get to when you fancy a quick jog in the evening.

4. Do you have the space? Where would you put it?
Obviously if you answer No here a treadmill is not an option. Unless you have a very dear friend who will house it for you.

Even fold-up treadmills take up space. Non-folding treadmills take up a considerable amount of a room. If you have got space, what type of room is it. Some use their garage, others prefer the bedroom or somewhere near a TV. Where ever you consider putting it, is it a room you would like to spend a considerable amount of time in? If you progress your running you may be training up to two hours at a time!

If after taking in the pros and cons you decide to go ahead and purchase an exercise treadmill be prepared to spend at least US$1000. If you buy a cheaper treadmill it is frankly not worth the bother. If you spend more you will get extras such as heart monitors, running programs, stopwatches and tilting surfaces for hill running.

Specifications:
You will need to look at the power of the motor and the maximum speed. You really need a minimum of 1.5 horsepower and one that can do up to 10 mph. You don’t want to be growing out of your exercise treadmill in just a few months time after spending all that cash! The belt should be at least 48″ long and 16″ wide.

I would also advise you try a model before you buy one - you may use an online provider but always check the same model for yourself first. Check neither the frame or the belt moves when you use it. Make sure you can reach and use the control panel with ease.

Test run for at least 10 minutes and listen for any changes in the noise of the motor. Is it quiet? It may sound okay in a large sports store but what about in your garage?

As mentioned earlier, running on a treadmill is different than road running. The advantages to using one are first of all the obvious, such as running in your own home so you will feel safe and not need to worry about traffic or undesirables. You can run any time of day and not worry about weather conditions.

Another advantage is by using a mirror(s) you can assess your running technique. Video analysis is useful but you cannot see instant results. One other advantage often overlooked is that when you get tired you can stop, step off, grab a beer from the fridge and recover on your sofa, there is no need to worry about a long walk home!

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2001 he published a book called ‘The Performance Paradox: Challenging the conventional methods of sports training and exercise’ and is currently working on a new project about The Zone. More information about his unique approach to training can be found at http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com.