Disclaimer: This article contains graphic images of skin damage. Reader discretion is advised.

The lure of 'fast fashion' has swept across Australia in recent years.

With just a few clicks, fashion fans can fill their wardrobe with the latest trends from overseas retailers.

Yet, as one Aussie mum recently discovered, these bargain buys could come with a hidden cost.


Cath Matar thought she had scored a great deal when she ordered a haul of trendy clothes from a popular fast fashion site.

However, the excitement quickly turned to horror for the 56-year-old mum.

The culprit? The brand-new clothes she bought online.

'My whole body and face flared up as soon as I opened the box - even before I took anything out of the packaging… The clothes were still in plastic,' Ms Matar shared in an interview.


'I came out in huge welts all over my arms. My eyelid swelled up and was so swollen it was half shut.'

'I looked like I'd had a stroke,' she lamented.

Her 14-year-old daughter, Indigo, was also affected.

After trying on the new outfits they bought online, Indigo's hands were immediately covered in bloody, red rashes.

'It's heartbreaking,' Ms Matar lamented.

'Flares are exhausting, and Indigo's hands get it the worst. When Indigo flares like this, her face and hands are so wrinkled, she looks like a little old woman.'


Both Ms Matar and her daughter have lived with eczema for most of their lives.

However, they managed to keep it under control until they tried the clothes on.

'Indigo and I suffer from head to toe, but our worst spots are our hands, which are ravaged,' Ms Matar added.

'They're itchy and raw with deep cracks, oozing and bleeding with red hot, inflamed lesions, sometimes right down to the bone, and it smells like your body is rotting from the inside, so you're even more self-conscious.'

'It's excruciating and incredibly hard to get the skin elasticity back as your face and body feel so tight,' she further described.

Despite tossing the clothes in the washing machine for much-needed cleaning, Ms Matar claimed that washing 'did not make any difference'.

Ms Matar has since returned the items back to the retailer and reported the issues they encountered with the clothes.


Ms Matar's case was not one of bad luck.

A growing body of evidence proved that some mass-produced, cheap clothing could contain high levels of chemicals and irritants.

In May 2024, South Korean officials found that some fast fashion clothes, bags, and accessories contained dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.


These substances, used in dyes, finishes, and packaging, could trigger severe allergic reactions, especially in people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.

'Some mass-produced clothes can cause allergic contact dermatitis in patients who are sensitised to them,' Dermatologist Professor Deshan Sebaratnam from The Skin Hospital Sydney explained.

'Washing the clothes when you receive them is a good idea, but there are some products, like benzalkonium chloride, which require dozens of washes to get rid of.'

'Patients are often better off throwing out the clothes if they are having reactions to it,' Professor Sebaratnam added.


With the cost of living crisis among Australians, sometimes it can get tempting to get clothes from fast fashion brands.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to keep yourselves safe from any chemical reactions:

• Wash before wearing: Always wash new clothes before putting them on. Washing could remove some surface chemicals, though it may not eliminate all irritants.
• Choose natural fibres: Cotton, linen, and bamboo are less likely to cause reactions than synthetic fabrics, which are often chemically treated.
• Check for certifications: Look for clothing certified by OEKO-TEX or similar standards, which test for harmful substances.
• Be wary of strong smells: If your new clothes have a strong chemical odour, return them immediately to the place of purchase.
• Keep an eye on your skin: If you notice itching, redness, or rashes after wearing new clothes, consult your GP or dermatologist immediately.

Over-the-counter creams may help soothe inflammation, but a doctor should check persistent or severe reactions.

For seniors with sensitive skin or those who want to avoid nasty surprises, it might be time to reconsider the true cost of these bargain buys.
Have you had a bad experience with new clothes? Do you have tips for choosing safe, comfortable clothing? Share your stories and advice in the comments section below!