Emergency | ClothesNex

Take a breath. You're here.

That's the first right thing.

What happened?

Get help now

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Call 911

Life-threatening emergency

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Poison Control

1-800-222-1222 (24/7, free)

Skin reaction

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If spreading rapidly, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling → Call 911

1

Remove the clothing immediately

Stop contact with the irritating fabric

2

Rinse skin with cool water

Gentle rinsing for several minutes

3

Wash with mild soap

Fragrance-free if possible

4

Apply cool compress if needed

Can help with itching and inflammation

5

Antihistamine or hydrocortisone

OTC options for itching (follow label)

Keep the clothing

Store it in a plastic bag. If you need medical care, having the item helps identify what caused the reaction.

Child ingested fabric

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Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

What was ingested?

Button battery ingestion

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EMERGENCY. Button batteries can cause severe internal burns within 2 hours.

1

Go to Emergency Room immediately

Do not wait for symptoms

2

If possible, give honey (if over 1 year old)

10ml (2 teaspoons) every 10 min en route - may reduce damage

3

Do NOT induce vomiting

Can cause more damage

National Battery Ingestion Hotline

1-800-498-8666 (24/7)

Swallowed small object

1

Confirm it's NOT a button battery

Regular buttons are much less urgent

2

Call Poison Control

1-800-222-1222 for guidance

3

Watch for warning signs

Drooling, refusing food, vomiting, stomach pain

Most small, smooth objects pass within 2-3 days. Seek care if sharp edges or symptoms develop.

Swallowed fabric

1

Check for choking

If coughing/gagging, fabric may be in throat

2

Call Poison Control for guidance

Depends on size and type of fabric

3

Monitor for 24-48 hours

Most small fabric pieces pass naturally

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Seek immediate care if: vomiting, stomach pain, refusing to eat, or drooling

Strong chemical smell

1

Move to fresh air

Take the clothing outside or to ventilated area

2

Do not wear until washed

Wash separately before first use

3

If symptoms: rinse and remove

If already worn and reacting

What causes the smell?

New clothes may contain formaldehyde, flame retardants, or dye fixatives. Washing before wearing reduces exposure.

Allergic reaction

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Call 911 if: Difficulty breathing, throat swelling, dizziness, or widespread hives

1

Remove the clothing

Stop all contact with the allergen

2

Use EpiPen if prescribed and needed

For known severe allergies

3

Take antihistamine

Benadryl or similar, follow label dosing

4

Monitor for 4+ hours

Reactions can worsen or return

Common textile allergens

Nickel (in snaps/zippers), latex, certain dyes, formaldehyde resins, rubber compounds

Dye transfer on skin

1

Remove the clothing

Stop further dye transfer

2

Wash skin with soap and water

Most dye is on the surface

3

Check for skin irritation

Redness, itching, or burning

Surface dye staining is usually cosmetic and fades over 1-2 days. If skin is irritated, treat as a skin reaction.