Numerous chemicals are used in textile production and some of these chemicals can cause allergic reactions. The source of allergy to textiles can be the fabric itself and chemical additives used in processing the fabric. The most frequent allergens are textile dyes which are causes of acute dermatitis with rapid onset. When considering how you use and transfer on/off the toilet, what items of clothing will you need to move or remove? Do you find it easier to pull pants up/down or would you find it easier to have pants which fasten under the crotch? How you choose to manage will depend upon your personal condition and abilities. This consists of two plastic clips joined with a piece of elastic. One clip is attached to your top, the other to your trousers before you lower trousers to go to the toilet. This helps keep trousers within reach when you stand after using the toilet. Family Fundprovides grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people aged 0-18. They provide grants for a wide range of items, including clothing.

A pants aid is a wire frame over which pants or a slip petticoat is fitted. The feet are put through the frame and leg holes of pants and the underwear pulled up to the knees from where they can be reached by hand.

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Loose fitting, stretchy clothing without fastenings, such as T-shirts, will often be easier to manage and eliminates the need to fasten buttons or zips Using dots of velcro tends to be easier than two strips of velcro particularly for fly openings on trousers or waistbands of women's skirts (Pain, McLellan, and Gore, 2003) Important Note: It does NOT include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able-bodied or any person who is only temporarily disabled or incapacitated, such as with a broken limb. Most people do not want it to be obvious that they are wearing a catheter bag. The factors to consider are ease of access and the desire to hide any possible bulging as the bag fills. You also need to be careful that your clothes do not constrict the flow of urine in the drainage tube, perhaps when you sit down.

Clothes made from knitted or 'jersey' fabrics are often easier to manage than more stiff, woven fabrics. A small percentage of elastane or Lycra also makes fabric more stretchy, and can help it regain its shape after being stretched. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may wish to avoid synthetic fabrics The NES also advise people with eczema to avoid cheaper products which can cause problems as they may have been finished with an irritant chemical called formaldehyde, which can trigger a flare-up in some people. Also to be wary of 100% cotton that can only be washed at low temperatures, as this may have also been coated with a chemical finish. For example, although a man may usually stand to urinate, if you are unstable, you may find that sitting is a safer, easier option. It also means that you do not need to worry about holding items of clothing whilst using the toilet. A zip aid is usually a piece of cord or fine chain with a hook on one end and a tab at the other to assist with doing up zips. Large rings or tape can also be attached to a zip tab to help make gripping easier. You are advised to look at each stage and movement involved in the task of toileting, working out how best you will manage your clothing. Consider both day- and night-time scenarios; many people are sleepy and less stable at night, so may need the simplest of clothing options.Dressing aids are relatively simple to use and can assist with a variety of dressing tasks. We recommend that you seek advice from an occupational therapist before buying equipment, or try them out at your local Equipment Demonstration or Independent Living Centre. For some of these items, practice and correct technique is needed to ensure you can use them effectively. If you area wheelchair user, you may also need to consider wearing longer trousers, so that they do not expose the bag when you are seated. If you prefer, trousers can be adapted with a zip fastener or hook and loop Velcro-type fastener inserted into the lower half of the side seam. If choosing clothing with fasteners, make sure the fastener is easily accessible, at the front for example If you experience incontinence and wear pads, you will need clothing which is discrete, which keeps pads in place and allows you to change pads easily when required. If you wear a catheter, please see the section below. Scottish Highlands & Islands postcodes: AB, FK, HS, IV, KA, KW, PA, PH, ZE, LL58-LL78, IM, TR, PO30-41