Extreme clothing sensitivity with my 4 year old daughter

My daughter is 7, and has had these same clothes issues since 4. Socks are a huge thing. We finally found underwear she has liked for the past year. I try to buy the same sweat pants or elastic waist shorts, just in different colors. Things are better as she gets older. At one time, she would only wear elastic waist skirts (no stockings). That was not OK in the winter. Sneakers are always an issue. My daughter has these pink mary janes that she likes, but phys ed teacher says no to them. I think they are fine for gym, rubber sole and secure to her feet. I wish he could live my life for one morning and then he would certainly let her wear these shoes. Over the years, I've tried yelling, tried to remain calm and understanding, etc, etc, etc. Sometimes all I can do is get mean and force the clothes/sneakers on her. I feel terrible because I am sure these clothing items feel like the equivalent to myself being covered in centipedes. I'm going to look into OT (occupational therapy). Read that they do this brushing on the childs skin and other activities to de-sensitize kids with tactile sensitivities. Must say, clothing is the only tactile sensitivity she has, so she does not really fit the mold of a child with tactile sensitivity. No problems with touch, hugs, tickles etc, or with any food textures. Thank goodness for that. It's so hard!

This is a relaly common issue for kids about that age. I actually was very picky about sleeves. I hated it when adults would put a jacket on me while I had a long sleeved shirt on without any regard for it bunching up. But it can be very difficult. Does anyone have any other stories about it?

Can anyone else in this forum tell me whether they have tried the supplement 5-HTP for fabric sensitivity in their child/ren? My dd is 10 going on 11 next month, and started to experience this problem around the age of 5. This started out with the seams in her socks bothering her (to which I started buying "soft seam" toes), proceeding on to sleeves and collars being too tight, and we are to the point now that she would really love to wear blue jean pants, and we have purchased some, but once we get them home, she refuses to wear them. Her clothes must be very loose or she stretches collars and sleeves until the seams pop... I cannot begin to add up the cost of all of the clothing & shoes that she has either ruined trying to make them comfortable enough or those that I have had to just give away to charity because the fabric "drives her crazy". If you "scratch" just about any synthetic fabric, that isn't cotton, with your fingernails.... it sends her into a frenzy. She is not autistic, has always been in the "Gifted and Talented" classes in school, and it just breaks my heart that she can't wear all of the cute clothes that her classmates can.



She has exhibited some "general anxiety" patterns, such as nail biting and hair chewing, and some OCD patterns, which both I believe were inherited genetically. She is also a very sensitive, loving & caring child that I know doesn't do these things on purpose. I am completely hesitant of putting her on any psychiatric medications, and I am desperate to hear whether any other parents have tried the 5-HTP with any success. My dd is 5'2" and 125 lbs, so I feel that she could take it safely, but as we don't have any health insurance (like millions of other middle class Americans who make too much for Medicaid and Chips), I can't just run her to the doctor every time I need advice.



Thank you all in advance for listening and helping with your personal experiences if possible.

Katie Rose's Mom,

Tori

Tori it sounds to me like your daughter is quite possibly OCD, and I don't think that it is going to get better without medical supervision. They may not even put her on meds but instead have her do OCD therapy--but please make sure that you insist on going to an OCD therapist. Her behavior sounds far too much like my niece, who was diagnosed with OCD just recently.

Wow, I thought I was only one with this problem when I googled it today. I have spent so much money on clothes that didn't tickle my daughter. She is now turning 5 next week and has shown sensitivities since she was 2.5 years old. I have bought happy feet socks from Zellers which work, Roots winter socks, old navy ankle socks and gap socks that are white with pictures on the ankle work. Clothing is very hard. So far the childrens place yoga cotton pants and shirts work the best. Shoes are the worst. I hate shopping for shoes. We finally find some and I buy 3 pairs in case she ruins some and then for inside at school. She has been pretty good about her clothes until this week. OMG We are going mental with the fighting in the morning, every morning. She tells us everything tickles her again, but last week all her clothes she has been wearing have been fine. I thought I had it all figured out about this clothings sensitivity thing with her. I would really like to know about that natural medicine mentioned above. Anyone else use it. I think I am going to call our store in our community today and ask them about it. I can't handle fighting anymore. Almost three years of fighting is draining. I have felt like so many of you on this topic. Thanks for listening.

Wow, my husband and I are at our wits end. It's amazing to read how many others are experiencing the same thing.
My 5 1/2 year old daughter started this sensitivity when transitioning from flip flops to socks and shoes to return to school this year.
So first it was socks, then underwear (still is) and pants (the combo is worst), some shirts too now. She hates the seatbelt in her booster seat with her coat on. It's getting very cold now and we refuse to let her leave without a coat. It's so frustrating for everyone in the family. I am patient for so long until we have to leave so I can drop the kids off at the sitter or the bus is waiting at the bus stop,etc. The tantrums have lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour. My blood pressure can't take this anymore (and I don't have a blood pressure problem). The doctor says it's a phase. He also said it could be mild ADHD since my older daughter has ADHD...I don't think so, she has no other symptoms. My husband and I think it may be sensory processing disorder but she only falls into the dressing category (at times the smell category).

I'd love to hear any other ideas or suggestions on how to help my daughter.

Wow! I want to cry knowing that there are others out there dealing with the same things I am with my 4 year old daughter. I really thought she was crazy and her doc thinks I am. So the question is what to do about it? Is it curable? She can't sit in her pre-school carpool and pull her pants down around her legs because she can't stand to have her underwear touch her. I am trying to be patient with this but I just wish there was a solution!

I have the same problem with my daughter who is 5, almost 6. The getting dressed in the morning is almost unbearable. My husband and I can hardly take it anymore. The tantrums are getting worse. We've been to the pediatrician, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, and now we're trying an alternative approach psychotherapy. Has anybody been given any suggestions that work? Please share!!!!

Hi,

I feel so much better knowing others are going through the same thing. My daughter is 5 and has been relatively sensitive to clothes most of her life. However, she got some weird viral rash in February that took her sensitivities to a whole new level. During the rash, she couldn't wear clothes or use blankets for 7 weeks. It was horrible for her. Since then, every morning is a challenge to get clothes on her. She goes 2 weeks with wearing something and then she can no longer wear it at all anymore. She no longer wears socks or underwear. She only wears flip flops and crocs right now. Bottoms/pants are the worst for her which is really challenging when she doesn't wear underwear. This is totally impacting our lives to the point of me considering a leave of absence from work because every day we don't know whether or not my husband or I will be able to go to work.

I am working with a naturopath and craniosacral therapist on this stuff. My doctor told me it was behavioural and to try not feeding her in order to motivate her to wear clothes - what a jerk! All I can say is that this is not behavioural. My daughter is a very bright girl and her only challenge is this clothes sensitivity stuff. Some days are more challenging than other but I try to patient with her and sympathize with her. I have been fortunate to meet 2 adults who went through this as children and they describe the feeling as "gross", "thought consuming" and "claustrophic". It pains me so much to think that my daughter feels that way when she puts clothes on. I thought I would share what I am currently doing:

1. She is taking a daily dose of probiotics and L-Glutamine. There is some thought that her immune system is weak given a test result that showed she had a very low SIgA level. I have been giving her this for about a month. No improvement but I hope it is increasing her SIgA. If not, there is a chance she has a very rare genetic condition that results in a low SIgA that could be causing the skin sensitivity.

2. We started a gluten-free and dairy-free diet last week. She is adapting very well to it. We likely won't see any results from this for at least 4-weeks. I will keep you posted on that progress.

3. We are having our home checked for mold (and maybe metals). We need to investigate this further due to costs.

4. My craniosacral therapist said some kids have calcification of the nerve endings that cause a high skin sensitivity. I am giving my daughter 1/4 tsp of the following for a few weeks to see if this is the problem: kelp, honey, apple cider vinegar and 1 drop of iodine, calcium and vitamin c. I give her this 3 times per week. I will update you on the progress of this.

5. I have taken her to a behavioural therapist and they do not think this is behavioural. My daughter does not seem anxious/stressed but that is something I might try next.

I will post more stuff at a later date but thought I would share what is going on in our family right now. I can relate to all of you and it so comforting to read your posts. I wouldn't even consider enrolling her in any activities that have uniforms because she could never wear them. I already dropped out of dancing with her this year because she couldn't wear the leotard. The worst days are the days where she can't put the clothes on at all. They are very rare and only happen after a rash (of course she just had chicken pox last week). I have learned to not care what she wears as long as she has something on. I am very fearful for the winter, however. Good luck to all of you as you sort through this stuff. I look forward to reading your posts.

I thought you all might like to know my experience as I was hypersensitive to clothing as a child. I'm 20 now and this was just my personal experience and I know probably all of your children are not sensitive to the same things, but I hope this helps put it into perspective of give you a little insight.
When I was little I had an oversensitivity to clothing. I can tell you that clothing hypersensitivity is not a misbehavior problem. I still have it to some extent; every once in a while I'll try on something at a store and tears will come into my eyes and I'll have to consciously talk myself through taking it off without breaking down. I've learned not to try on certain fabrics that I don't like but often it is the fit that bothers me. Just thinking about the sound that polyester makes when you pull on it (such as pulling up polyester socks which I dealt with for years in order to play softball. My mom used to pull them on while I plugged my ears) gives me goosebumps and chills up my spine. I know I didn't wear underwear until kindergarden and I'm pretty sure I didn't start wearing it once I got there right away either. I used to freeze and scream, crying until my mom pulled the offending clothes off. I couldn't think when I had something on that bothered me. It was claustrophobic, and frightening and completely irrational. There is no reason for a person to be like that, other than that is simply how they are.
My mom dressed me in all cotton and only cotton. Hannah Andersson was especially successful, particularly their leggings and shirts.
I hated turtlenecks (still do), tags, polyester (still do), and tight fitting clothes.
I've looked up Aspergers, Autism, and many other "differences" shall we call them and although I fit a number of symptoms, it always seems like I don't have the main ones. I think the important thing is to not let this be a big part of a child's life...it is simply how they are and need to learn how to cope with it in the calmest manner possible.
Best of luck to you all! Patience is a virtue. Truly, your child will always be grateful for your patience.

my age is (12) and i have the same problem (high intensity), and have had it FOREVER!! i am sensitive to A LOT of clothing!!! what i find at stores that i like is tons of cottin clothing. try old navy and or gap for shirts, usually the plain ones or ones that just have a grafic on them,but no stiching other then the seams, which are rather comfortable. jeans are particularly hard to fine that i like so i wear "jeggins" (from AMERICAN EAGLE) which are jeans and leggings because they stretch and use legging matirials so they are SUPER comfortable!! i also wear old navy skirts. i buy my underpants at justice, a girls store at my local mall, but any underpants i like HAVE TO and i repeat HAVE TO have the seams (at the bottom by the croch) outside the underpants. i usually wear knee high socks because my feet are SUPER sensitive! the seams to the toe of the socks have to be on the outside of the socks or i will wear my socks inside out, and usually, the band or top of the socks are toght but i buy them with a small top part (or whatever the top is called). i usually buy FADED GLORY socks, but usually 2 sizes larger then i need because i like them to be able to stretch and i dont like the feeling to the heel of the socks, another reason why i like them big. i love to pull my shirt down (to completely cover my butt) and currently buy a size large shirt, and to fit loosely, but medium would have a regular fit, which i dont like. i like my jeggins or regular leggins, which are a little more comfortabler than jeggins, baggy, but not hanging off me. i currently cant find a comfortable bra, so best of luck finding one. i currently have not tried those "full shirt" brad that have the pads to the bra, but are in like a shirt form (not the cami shirts, which i HATE the feeling of). i dont like to layer clothes, but i sometimesi will get a long sleeve shirt at old navy and wear it under a tshirt. WHAT EVER YOU DO, IF YOUR KID DOES NOT LIKE SOME SPACIFIC SHIRT OR PAIR OF SOCKS OR WHATEVER AND HAS ANY CASE OF SENSITIVE SKIN, DO NOT MAKE THEM WEAR IT!! THEY WILL MOST LIKELY NOT GET USED TO THE FEELING!!! THEY GET USED TO THE FEELING OF CLOTHES 68% SLOWER THEN OTHER PEOPLE!!! PLUS, IT MIGHT GIVE THEM A RASH!!!
if you have anything to say, or ask about sensitive childern, please email me (especially if you have found a brand of bras for sensitive people ;-) !! )
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i am (12) and i have the same problem (high intensity), and have had it FOREVER!! i am sensitive to A LOT of clothing!!! what i find at stores that i like is tons of cottin clothing. try old navy and or gap for shirts, usually the plain ones or ones that just have a grafic on them,but no stiching other then the seams, which are rather comfortable. jeans are particularly hard to fine that i like so i wear "jeggins" (from AMERICAN EAGLE) which are jeans and leggings because they stretch and use legging matirials so they are SUPER comfortable!! i also wear old navy skirts. i buy my underpants at justice, a girls store at my local mall, but any underpants i like HAVE TO and i repeat HAVE TO have the seams (at the bottom by the croch) outside the underpants. i usually wear knee high socks because my feet are SUPER sensitive! the seams to the toe of the socks have to be on the outside of the socks or i will wear my socks inside out, and usually, the band or top of the socks are toght but i buy them with a small top part (or whatever the top is called). i usually buy FADED GLORY socks, but usually 2 sizes larger then i need because i like them to be able to stretch and i dont like the feeling to the heel of the socks, another reason why i like them big. i love to pull my shirt down (to completely cover my butt) and currently buy a size large shirt, and to fit loosely, but medium would have a regular fit, which i dont like. i like my jeggins or regular leggins, which are a little more comfortabler than jeggins, baggy, but not hanging off me. i currently cant find a comfortable bra, so best of luck finding one. i currently have not tried those "full shirt" brad that have the pads to the bra, but are in like a shirt form (not the cami shirts, which i HATE the feeling of). i dont like to layer clothes, but i sometimesi will get a long sleeve shirt at old navy and wear it under a tshirt. WHAT EVER YOU DO, IF YOUR KID DOES NOT LIKE SOME SPACIFIC SHIRT OR PAIR OF SOCKS OR WHATEVER AND HAS ANY CASE OF SENSITIVE SKIN, DO NOT MAKE THEM WEAR IT!! THEY WILL MOST LIKELY NOT GET USED TO THE FEELING!!! THEY GET USED TO THE FEELING OF CLOTHES 68% SLOWER THEN OTHER PEOPLE!!! PLUS, IT MIGHT GIVE THEM A RASH!!!
if you have anything to say, or ask about sensitive childern, please email me (especially if you have found a brand of bras for sensitive people ;) !! )
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We have the same problem with our 3 year old. Every morning, complete meltdown even if we choose her clothes together the night before and lay them out. I spent a fortune on Hannah Andersson leggings and underpants and she won't wear any of them - the leggings she won't wear because they are too long, the underwear because they are too uncomfortable, or "hurt". When we finally do get underpants on her, she spends ages adjusting them on the waste band. I have been feeling miserable because with another (non-problematic) child to get off to school in the morning, the constant tears and battles are wearing me down and I have been very short-tempered with her. Today, I forced her into the clothes that we had laid out the night before. I told her the night before that I was going to get her dressed and that I knew that she would be unhappy but that I had to do it and that if she could be good I would give her a new toy. She screamed and tried to take the clothes off as I was putting them on - I had to physically restrain her which made me feel sick to my stomach, and once I got the clothes on she was hysterical. So I was desperate and tried putting on a children's morning show, and she stopped crying immediately and started to watch it. Still adjusting every item of clothes that I had put on, but it stopped the tears. The whole time I was putting the clothes on I told her that I loved her and that I knew it was difficult for her to put the clothes on and that she was uncomfortable,but that she would be ok and that I loved her. Not sure if it made any difference to her, but it did to me, as I felt better about physically forcing her into her clothes. I am going to take her to the pediatrician - I think it hypersensitivity - and there is treatment for is called sensory integration.I hope it works and I don't think any of the family can stand much more of having to choose between her being miserable and us being unable to leave the house.

I am having a terrible time with my 3 year old daughter who has an extreme aversion to switching to her underwear. She has been toilet trained for 4 months now but won't give up her cotton diapers. The problem with these diapers is that they are now getting too small for her and the velcro is wearing out. The outer layer is peeling off and they have got to be getting uncomfortable. About 25 times I day my daughter starts insisting that her diaper is not "tight" and I need to readjust it for her. The problem is that I might do it five or more times and it is still not right. She'll start crying when we are about to leave the house or when I won't drop everything I am doing to fix her diaper. The issue is now appearing with the sneakers (not tight enough) and the seatbelt (not tight enough). She will wear panties underneath the diapers but won't take the plunge to living without the diapers. I wouldn't mind the diapers so much , but it is obvious that they are getting uncomfortable to her. On another note, she refuses to wear pants or long sleeved shirts and it is already frosty outside. Comments anyone?

OMG! I thought I was the only one going through this. My 4 year old daughter has an issue with every piece of clothing. I have bought and returned so many articles of clothing. Every morning is torchure for her and I. I finally got her to wear valour pants, which we have in every color I can find. She will wear t-shirts but no binding around the arms or gathering in the back. But socks...I could cry. And a winter jacket..we have tried 4 already and there is always some reason on why she can't wear it. She is still wearing crocs and a spring jacket. It's 45 degrees for gosh sakes. I am at my witts end. I sometimes think she is doing this just to tick me off. I get so mad but what if she really is telling the truth and they really bother her. I don't know what to do. HELP!!!