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News India Live, Digital Desk: Who doesn’t like to flaunt new clothes by wearing them immediately after shopping? But do you know that that new and shiny looking clothes can prove to be a ‘silent killer’ for your skin? According to health experts and skin specialists, wearing new clothes without washing is an open invitation to diseases. From factories to showroom trial rooms, a garment goes through several unsafe stages that can cause rashes, itching and severe allergies on your skin. ‘Poison’ of chemicals: The heavy cost of making clothes shine. Dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde are used in the factory to protect the clothes from insects and keep them wrinkle-free. Additionally, Azo dyes used to color clothes can absorb into the skin when they come in contact with sweat. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals not only increases the risk of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), but in some research they have also been found to be carcinogenic. The ‘dirty truth’ of the trial room: The home of bacteria and fungus. Dozens of people have tried the clothes kept in the showroom before you. While wearing clothes in the trial room, sweat, dead skin cells and bacteria from the previous person’s body stick to those clothes. If a person has any skin disease or fungal infection, it can spread directly to you by wearing unwashed clothes. Especially in the case of gym wear and undergarments, this risk increases manifold. ‘Double danger’ for children and those with sensitive skin. The skin of small children is very thin and sensitive as compared to adults. ‘Finishing agents’ present in new clothes can cause severe rashes and respiratory problems (for asthma patients) in children. Experts recommend that new clothes should always be washed once with lukewarm water and mild detergent. This removes excess color and toxic chemicals, making the garment completely safe to wear. 3 Golden Rules to Stay Safe: Pre-wash is mandatory: No matter how branded the garment is, wash it once before wearing. Sun-dry: After washing, dry the garment in good sunlight to eliminate any remaining bacteria. Bathe after the trial: If you have tried on many garments in the store, wash them with disinfectant soap after coming home. Taking a bath is a better option.