DEAR DR. GOTT: You recently published a letter from someone who wrote about a skin rash. The person had tried various creams, lotions and had been to several dermatologists for treatment and medication, with little or no help.

I am an 83-year-old male. About 20 years ago, I had this same problem. My wife suggested that I stop wearing clothes that had polyester, wool or acrylic. I began wearing only cotton underclothes, shirts, sweaters, etc. The rash cleared up within weeks, and I have not had it since. If I do wear a sweater and sit in a chair covered with polyester for any length of time, I can feel the itching coming on.

I enjoy your column very much and read it every morning. I have found many helpful tidbits of information and now sleep with soap under my sheets every night to prevent my leg cramps.

DEAR READER: This is yet another cause of skin rash that is commonly overlooked. Most physicians think of detergents and soaps but not the actual fabrics as being skin irritants.

Wool is a natural material that is known for causing itchy skin and rashes owing to its coarse nature. Both polyester and acrylic fabrics are synthetic and are relatively smooth on the skin. Cotton is both natural and easy on the skin. In fact, cotton has made a huge comeback, as more and more people are interested in easy-to-care-for, comfortable, sturdy fabrics.

Thanks for writing to share your story. I hope it will help others suffering from persistent skin rashes that fail to respond to treatment. I'm also glad the soap reduced your leg cramps.

DEAR DR GOTT: I need a hearing aid. The cost is a big factor. I have often wondered why there are never any used ones offered by the hearing-aid sellers. There must be many that could be made available at a big savings. In an age of relatively inexpensive electronics, hearing aids have not come down in price. Could it be that the manufacturers have this under control?

DEAR READER: Hearing aids have not come down in price because each device is custom-made. Every person's ear canal is shaped differently. To ensure proper fit and function, the hearing aid must be shaped to fit comfortably yet snugly. If it were one size fits all, many people would find that the aids are too big or too small, causing discomfort and dislodging.

If you have health insurance and can show medical necessity, part, if not all, may be covered; however, many insurance companies will not cover the costs. I suggest you seek out a place that will work with you to find an affordable hearing aid and set up a payment plan.

DEAR DR. GOTT: Recently, you printed a letter about using nail hardener to remove moles. I have many seborrheic keratoses that itch, bleed and are extremely annoying. I have a skin check every year.

DEAR READER: The nail-hardener remedy is beneficial for the removal of skin tags. I have received only one letter stating that it was used successfully to remove moles. However, I have heard from several readers about using mentholated chest rub to remove a seborrheic keratosis.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's "No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook."