Fabric selection may play a meaningful part in reducing itching. Fabrics with scratchier fibers and wider spaces between fibers, such as wool, are worse, whereas cotton, silk, and ultrafine wool may be better choices.[1] There is also interest in a number of alternative fabrics treated with antibacterial agents, such as silver, zinc oxide, and borage oil, with some clinical evidence in particular for silver, though more research is needed.[2] Phototherapy with narrow-band UV-B and UV-A1 has also seen a considerable amount of research and is likely effective for reducing the severity of eczema.[3]
Are there any other treatments for eczema?
Written by:
Fact-checked
by:
•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Fabric selection can affect eczema symptoms, and softer fabrics like cotton and silk are preferable over scratchier ones like wool. Additionally, treatments such as phototherapy and alternative fabrics treated with antibacterial agents, particularly silver, show promise but require further research.