Pharmacist Alvaro Fernandez has advised women to sleep without underwear to prevent intimate skin irritation and fungal infections, reporting by El Confidencial revealed.
Fernandez explained that wearing underwear throughout the night creates constant mechanical friction against sensitive skin, causing localized redness and discomfort. He added that tight fabrics increase humidity in the intimate area, creating an environment that significantly elevates the risk of fungal infections in women.
Nighttime skin irritation and infections
Friction caused by clothing during sleep occurs as a person moves, rubbing fabric repeatedly against delicate epidermal layers. Medical references note that prolonged night-time friction can cause contact dermatitis, skin chafing, and micro-tears in sensitive areas. When fabric stays pressed tight against the skin for six to eight hours, warmth and lack of airflow worsen tissue inflammation.
Fungal infections, such as vaginal candidiasis, occur when natural fungal organisms like Candida albicans proliferate rapidly. Fungi thrive in warm, dark, and moist environments. Standard underwear made from non-breathable synthetic materials traps natural perspiration and body heat, elevating surface humidity and altering the natural microflora balance of the intimate region.
Fernandez recognized that many women are hesitant to sleep completely naked. For those who prefer wearing clothes to bed, the pharmacist recommended choosing loose and breathable underwear rather than tight or sexy garments.
Choosing suitable sleepwear
Dermatologists and healthcare specialists frequently recommend natural, un-dyed cotton underwear for sleep because cotton fibers allow air to circulate freely. Unlike synthetic textiles like nylon, polyester, or lace, cotton absorbs excess moisture and draws dampness away from the skin. Loose sleep garments also reduce friction points, preventing irritation around tight waistbands and elastic leg bands.
Personal hygiene guidelines recommend washing sleep garments with gentle, fragrance-free detergents to avoid chemical irritation. Allowing intimate areas to remain dry and well-ventilated overnight helps maintain natural protective barrier functions and reduces overall vulnerability to opportunistic surface pathogens.
Dental health and recurring thrush
The advice from Fernandez follows previous health guidance from gynecologist Tatyana Ilyukhina, who identified non-obvious triggers for recurring fungal conditions. Ilyukhina stated that unresolved dental problems can lead to repeated outbreaks of thrush in women.
Thrush is a common fungal infection caused by yeast overgrowth, leading to symptoms such as itching, burning, and discharge. Medical research increasingly links oral cavity health to systemic immune performance. Untreated dental infections, chronic tooth decay, or oral inflammation can stress the immune system and disrupt systemic microbial balances, enabling yeast populations to recur in other body tissues.
Healthcare providers advise women experiencing persistent intimate discomfort or recurrent infections to seek evaluation from a qualified physician or gynecologist. Medical experts emphasize that identifying underlying lifestyle factors, fabric choices, and systemic health conditions is essential for long-term preventative care.
