A BUSINESSWOMAN and mother is about to launch a brand of clothes for eczema sufferers made from bamboo.

Gail Palmer, from Hove, will kick off her Soothe range at next month’s Allergy + Free From Show in London with pyjamas designed for adults and older children who suffer from the itchy skin condition and other allergies.

Gail said: “Bamboo is the perfect fabric for sensitive skin because not only is it incredibly soft but it is also grown without pesticides, it’s antibacterial and it takes moisture away from the skin.

“We’ve blended it with organic cotton and elastane so they are easier to get on and off over sore skin.”

Special design features of the pyjamas, which are made in an organic factory in Turkey, are fold-over mittens to help prevent scratching and enclosed feet to protect sore ankles and legs.

The waist is non-elastic and labels are attached to the outside of the clothes.

Three years ago Gail launched a website called Everything for Eczema to help the parents of children with eczema after her daughter Tallulah, now six, was diagnosed with a severe version of the condition at eight weeks old.

At times Tallulah scratched herself so badly she bled and her condition led to hundreds of sleepless nights for both her and her parents.

Gail, who is 46, spent hours on the internet trying to find products to help her daughter, and her website acts as a kind of one-stop shop of products so other parents can avoid wasting time.

“Tallulah’s skin is way better now than I could ever have hoped for,” said Gail, who also has an older daughter who suffers from a severe peanut and seed allergy.

“There is still the occasional flare-up but those early sleep-deprived years were such a struggle I feel blessed her skin is now under control.”

It was after Gail put on a stand at last year’s Allergy + Free From Show that she spotted a gap in the market for clothes for adults and older children who suffer from eczema and allergies.

Through her website, she knew there were plenty of clothes for the youngest sufferers, but had struggled to find anything for adults.

She explained: “At the show, there were many adults looking for clothing to help their skin, which had been left fragile and extremely sensitive after years of cycles of flare-ups and treatments.

“Many were taping gloves to their wrists to stop themselves scratching.

“One man even wore boxing gloves to bed because he was so desperate not to cause his skin any more damage.

“I was frustrated that I had no way of helping them and I was determined that if I couldn’t find anything by the next show, I would have to start my own clothing line.

“It feels like a bit of a risk but I had to do it.”

The pyjamas are the first product in the Soothe brand, which will be launched at the Allergy + Free From Show, which takes place at Olympia, London, on July 4 to 6.

For details, visit allergyshow.co.uk. The Soothe range is available at www.everythingforeczema.com