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Original poster

Sensory issues with clothing, wrists especially - any ideas??

12 replies

BoobsOnTheMoon · 26/04/2023 06:23

I've always been super sensitive to seams (had to wear socks inside out as a child etc) and as I approach peri it seems to be getting worse and worse 😬 I wouldn't call myself autistic as I'm not diagnosed, but I definitely have a lot of traits plus an autistic child and a strong family history on both sides!

Current Big Issue is cuffs rubbing my wrists. During winter I usually manage this by wearing a thermal long sleeved base layer inside out (so no seams touching me) underneath whatever I'm wearing on my top half, sometimes with the base layer cuffs folded back over the top layer cuffs to stop any seams or threads touching my wrists. But at the moment this isn't enough. Yesterday, my wrists felt literally rubbed raw by my cuffs (which were actually super soft jersey fabric!) and I had to go and change what I was wearing twice to try and ease it. There's nothing to see on them, it's definitely sensory not a real physical problem. It seems worse when it's cold or when I'm anxious.

Any suggestions for anything at all that might help ease this level of sensitivity?

OP posts:
Potter10 · 26/04/2023 06:27

Hypnotherapy! It's helped me hugely with similar issues. But it needs to be a good practitioner. Mine is online so I don't have go to them!
Aside from that, I have no idea sorry. I would struggle with ankle cuffs, like on pyjamas, but this is a lot easier to avoid then wrists so totally feel your uncomfortableness

Original poster
BoobsOnTheMoon · 26/04/2023 06:30

Potter10 · 26/04/2023 06:27

Hypnotherapy! It's helped me hugely with similar issues. But it needs to be a good practitioner. Mine is online so I don't have go to them!
Aside from that, I have no idea sorry. I would struggle with ankle cuffs, like on pyjamas, but this is a lot easier to avoid then wrists so totally feel your uncomfortableness

Oh interesting! I will have to investigate it and see if I can afford it ATM.

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LadyCurd · 26/04/2023 06:30

I’m similar for different things. Could a pair of fleece long fingerless gloves that go half way up your forearm help disrupt your brain feeling like you wrists are hypersensitive? I had to swap my watch strap for elastic as couldn’t cope with the sensation of plastic or sweat on my wrist. I wonder if there is a soft bracelet or anything that will help distract your brain. I absolute can’t wear anything with stretchy cuffs. I have a few three quarter length sleeve tops could they also be an option. Hope you find things that work. Bras are my nemesis at the min and my sensory issues defo getting worse as I get older too.

Original poster
BoobsOnTheMoon · 26/04/2023 06:35

LadyCurd · 26/04/2023 06:30

I’m similar for different things. Could a pair of fleece long fingerless gloves that go half way up your forearm help disrupt your brain feeling like you wrists are hypersensitive? I had to swap my watch strap for elastic as couldn’t cope with the sensation of plastic or sweat on my wrist. I wonder if there is a soft bracelet or anything that will help distract your brain. I absolute can’t wear anything with stretchy cuffs. I have a few three quarter length sleeve tops could they also be an option. Hope you find things that work. Bras are my nemesis at the min and my sensory issues defo getting worse as I get older too.

Ahhh see I can only wear stretchy cuffs, and I can't tolerate 3/4 sleeves 😬 it's all or nothing with sleeves for me! But some sort of wrist covers would be a great idea, something super soft ☁️ I've never been able to wear a watch full stop for this reason.

Bras were my nemesis too, fortunately I'm small of nork 😂 but I now wear handmade ones in soft fabric and love them!

I wonder why it gets worse as we get older. My child's sensory issues seem to have settled down a bit as he heads into his teens, though perhaps we have just become better at managing them!

OP posts:
JuneOsborne · 26/04/2023 06:39

Can you unpick the seams on any longer sleeves, so they're there but they're baggy?

Sprig1 · 26/04/2023 06:39

How about some Turtle Doves cashmere wrist warmers? They are like fingerless mittens but you can take your thumb out just to wear them as wrist warmers. They are lovely and soft.

Original poster
BoobsOnTheMoon · 26/04/2023 06:46

JuneOsborne · 26/04/2023 06:39

Can you unpick the seams on any longer sleeves, so they're there but they're baggy?

Baggy is worse [shudder] they have to be close fitting, anything flapping round my wrists is an absolute nope. In fact anything flapping against my skin full stop is a nope. I can only wear loose clothes if I've got a close fitting layer underneath...

OP posts:
Cameraduck · 26/04/2023 06:49

Would sports tops with thumb holes work? I have a running top from tesco with thumb holes & lots have them. It would defer the issue to the back of your hand, not sure if that’s better! I have long gorilla arms so don’t tend to use them, but they are quite comfy.

Tezza1 · 26/04/2023 06:51

@BoobsOnTheMoon Bras were my nemesis too, fortunately I'm small of nork 😂 but I now wear handmade ones in soft fabric and love them!
Could you give an example of these, please. I can't stand bras: they make my diaphragm feel like I'm wrapped in a boa constrictor. I don't wear one anymore unless I'm going to the doctor or some place where someone might be poking at me. I can't stand even the knitted jersey, all in one, sport stretchy comfort types things. Or camisoles with a shelf bra.

Thanks.

TheLurpackYears · 26/04/2023 06:56

Hrt dialed the sensation back for me. I was getting so irate about light, brushing touches. There's a dangley bit on my car key fob, it would brush against my knee, I felt like driving into a wall to make it stop. HRT also improved the quality of my skin, places that were persistently sore healed and became normal again.
I wear shirts with the kind of sleeves that have the fold back tab that holds them up and fold or push up the sleeves of anything else. All waist bands are now elasticated. Luckily I'm scruffy anyway and don't have to look smart for work.

Gerwurtztraminer · 26/04/2023 09:23

Bamboo fibre is lovely and soft - I have some fabulous thin bamboo socks and I know you can buy clothing in it. Also agree with running tops as many come in a seamless style. Sweaty Betty have some on sale now.

I have long arms and lots of sleeves are a bit too short and rub on the wrist and drive me insane so I know what you mean.

Original poster
BoobsOnTheMoon · 26/04/2023 11:02

Gerwurtztraminer · 26/04/2023 09:23

Bamboo fibre is lovely and soft - I have some fabulous thin bamboo socks and I know you can buy clothing in it. Also agree with running tops as many come in a seamless style. Sweaty Betty have some on sale now.

I have long arms and lots of sleeves are a bit too short and rub on the wrist and drive me insane so I know what you mean.

Oooh yes bamboo, that is one of the fabrics I cope best with! Maybe I could fashion myself something from some bamboo socks with the feet cut off...

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