“Chances are that if you have ever worn a bra before, you have ripped one off and thrown it across the room in fury after a long day of poking, squeezing and rubbing. Poorly or incorrectly fitted bras are a serious problem for women all over the world, and are usually considered as the biggest problem for bra wearers. However, skin allergies and sensitivities can cause serious discomfort and be mismanaged when they are left undiagnosed,” Australia’s very own ‘Bra Whisperer,’ Esther Labi said.
Esther Labi is the founder of iconic bra store ‘Storm in a D Cup’ and wants to shed some light on common skin allergies and sensitivities, as well as how to recognise and manage them.
“At Storm in a D Cup we are passionate about making women with bigger busts feel supported and comfortable, and that includes catering for any skin sensitivities or allergies. We exclusively offer beautiful lingerie and everyday undergarments for women from D cup size to K cup size, which are traditionally the women who have been excluded from major lingerie chains and also who most frequently experience skin sensitivity caused from their bra,” Esther said.
“I hate to break it to the bigger busted women, like myself, but straps that slip off, cups that gape and underwire that digs into the ribs can often be the least of your worries when it comes to bra wearing. Sometimes your bra is irritating your skin in a way that is legitimate cause for concern…and itching.”
Esther has shared the four common skin allergies and sensitivities you should be aware of as a bra-wearer.
Intertrigo
“Intertrigo is a fungal, bacterial or viral infection of broken skin which normally appears in the form of a rash. Hearing the term ‘fungal rash’ isn’t exactly pleasant, however it is more common than you think. If you notice a rash appearing under your boobs, up on your shoulders, or under where you bra straps intersect, it could be Intertrigo. It can be painful and itchy,” Esther said.
“Our skin naturally carries yeast and bacteria. Poorly fitting bras that chafe the skin can irritate and break the skin causing infection and inflammation. See your local pharmacist for an anti-fungal cream to reduce the itch in the fastest amount of time. Avoid bras with wires and opt for soft fitting bras that provide good support. Choose bras made from fabrics that allow your skin to breathe properly.”
Sweat rash
“For many women, exercise and warm weather means one thing – underboob sweat. Ladies with a larger cup size generally will experience under-boob sweat the most, which can contribute to sweat rash or heat rash, that can be painful and irritating. If you do not keep the area dry, the built up sweat and moisture can also spiral into a yeast infection over time,” Esther added.
“I recommend investing in a moisture-wicking bra for exercise and warm weather. Over the winter months as we all sit inside in the warmth, our body naturally sweats. This can also contribute to sweat rash. A cooling bra is a busty girl’s best friend because it will help your body to stay dry and sweat free.”
Allergic reactions
According to Esther, a number of women can find the common materials that their bra is made out of to be irritating. These skin allergies are often misdiagnosed or not pinpointed by bra wearers who could experience some extreme relief if they took note of what materials their bra is made out of.
“Elastic, latex and rubber are all contact allergies that can occur, and are also materials that your bra cups and straps can be made from. Contact allergic dermatitis is usually due to an inflammatory reaction to the chemicals added to the materials during manufacture. You don’t have to free the nipple or opt for an unsupportive cotton crop if you develop these skin allergies, there is an extensive range of hypoallergenic bras on the market that shouldn’t cause you any irritation. Check the tags of your bra to explore latex-free, rubber-free and elastic-free alternatives, especially when it comes to strapless bras.” Esther explained.
Boobne
“We have all heard of acne, backne, chestne, and even thighne, but boobne is a real problem for ladies with a larger cup size who are regular gym-goers. Boobne is caused by friction from a dirty sports bra that can lead to incredibly irritated and aggressive pimples. While a little friction with your sports bra is inevitable when you’re being active, what you should do is change out of your sports bra as soon as your workout is complete. Lounging around in your dirty activewear after training, or wearing dirty activewear to work out in a number of days in a row, will inflame and embolden your boobne,” Esther said.
According to Esther, you should also ensure that you’re wearing the correct size for your sports bra because if you don’t invest in a quality sports bra, this can result in a build up of sweat and oils that can result in boobne.
Being authorised stockists and retailers of big cup bras since 2006, Storm in a D Cup understand the needs and requirements for larger women. They offer fast shipping from their store in Bondi, Sydney, and also offer free and easy returns.
For more visit: www.storminadcup.com.au