It's not often that people wash their brand new clothes before wearing them

But one doctor has warned that by not doing so you could be at risk of infection 

Potential risks include staph infections, allergic reactions and the flu

With all the excitement of the January sales, not many people are keen to wait to wash their brand new clothes before wearing them.

Instead, it seems much more appealing to simply pop off the tags and step out in style in your latest purchase.

However, one doctor has warned that by doing so you are putting yourself at risk of a whole host of skin conditions and infections - not to mention unexpected allergic reactions and even the norovirus.

Dr Lisa Ackerley, The Hygiene Doctor and Dettol expert, has insisted: 'Unwashed new clothes may be contaminated with bacteria, fungi or chemicals, depending upon how they are made, displayed, stored and transported.'

She also explained that synthetic dyes in clothing can cause uncomfortable and unsightly rashes, and exacerbate eczema for those who suffer from the condition - adding: 'In very rare cases chemicals can cause contact dermatitis.'

'If someone has been suffering from a skin infection, then this could be passed on via clothes. 

'Some skin infections may be caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and these can sometimes be quite hard to treat. 

'People often think that these types of infections are just acquired in hospitals, but in fact there is plenty of it about in the community.'

'Viruses such as cold, flu and norovirus can survive on fabrics and hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, so if someone has tried on a garment whilst suffering from a cold or flu, then the viruses could survive a day or so and spread or cause infection. 

'If you buy new shoes that have been on display and tried on by lots of other people there is a risk that they may have transferred the fungus that causes athlete's foot.'

However, Dr Ackerley says you can wash the clothes on a high temperature wash (if the fabric allows) to alleviate your concerns.

'If you haven't got time, or don't want to wash a new item, and you are only worried about infections, not allergies to chemicals on the clothes, then you could use Dettol All in One Disinfectant Spray, which kills 99.9% of bacteria.'

But Dr Ackerley added that some clothes will put you at less of a risk than others, including shoes which have been kept in their box and clothes that are not dyed, made from natural fibres and not from an 'easy iron' range.

Mailonline