Fashion VS Health: Biofunctional textiles come to the rescue with "smart" underwear

July 11, 2011 - PRLog -- For women who suffer from chronic yeast infections, there is a new treatment that it is not a pill, cream or ointment. This comes as great news to more than 75 percent of women, according to the National Women’s Health Information Centre, who have at least one vaginal yeast infection during their lives and the nearly 50% of women who have had two or more. The treatment of vaginal yeast infections has turned to the type of clothing worn by women and patented “smart” silk undergarments are the latest innovation.

Clinical Trial: A recent double blind clinical trial carried out at the University of Bologna in Italy has shown that specially treated silk underwear dramatically reduces the itching and redness that plagues women with vaginal yeast infections. This new trial was conducted on more than 100 patients with persistent vaginal yeast (thrush) infection who still had symptoms even after a 6 month treatment with fluconazole capsules, the most widely prescribed antifungal agent.  These resistant patients continued treatment for a further six months, with half wearing cotton briefs and half wearing Dermasilk Intimo briefs which are made from a special silk fabric that has been coated with an antimicrobial agent.  Neither the patients nor the investigators in the trial were told who was wearing what.

At the end of the six month period, redness had been eliminated in 9 out of 10 of the patients wearing Dermasilk briefs compared to only 2 out of 10 of those wearing cotton briefs.  Itching was eliminated in nine out of ten of those wearing Dermasilk whereas only 4 out of 10 of those wearing cotton briefs experienced relief.

Cotton Vs. Silk
Conventional wisdom states that breathable cotton underwear is the standard for optimum vaginal health. Dr. Rupert Mason, medical consultant, commented, “Underwear made from constrictive synthetic materials is known to be one of the major culprits that aggravate yeast infections, but we now have evidence that the traditional advice to wear cotton briefs is not ideal either.”

Fashion that works: According to health expert Dr. Oz, what women wear can have some serious side effects for those who suffer from persistent and recurrent vaginal yeast infections. On a recent taping, he pointed to the use of thong underwear as a major contributor to yeast infections, among antibiotic use, sugar consumption and perfumed sanitary products. The thought of wearing therapeutic underwear may not appeal to the more fashion conscious, but the Dermasilk Intimo line is fashion forward, combining Italian styling and finish, with the advantage and extreme comfort of specially treated silk. “Leave it to the Italians to design a product so functional and yet exquisite” says Sarah Williams, product manager for Dermasilk in Canada. “There are style choices for all body types, and the fabric itself is soft and luxurious.”

Established in 1972, Western Allergy Services, an industry leader in allergic disease, is entering a totally new market in medical treatment and a first for Canada – biofunctional textiles.  A wide range of garments has been developed that are manufactured from new materials specifically designed to produce therapeutic rather than just protective effects, either on their own or in conjunction with currently used conventional medications.

Dermasilk Therapeutic clothing is the first such product to be tested independently with proven performance in multiple clinical trials.  Dermasilk is manufactured from a special, knitted medical grade silk which has been stripped of its outer coating to make it hypoallergenic. The silk fabric is specially bonded with AEM 5772/5 (a patented antimicrobial shield).  It is similar to fabrics used in hospital operating theatres for over 30 years. Proven ability to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, it acts by puncturing and destroying bacteria and fungi.  There is no chemical release from the silk to poison any cells and no chemicals or nano-particles are released onto the skin.

Dermasilk Initimo briefs come in a range of designs and are available all over Europe.  In Canada, Dermasilk is available exclusively through Western Allergy Services and selected retailers. www.dermasilk.ca