Some nonserious skin infections can be treated by hydration and antibacterial control. Microcapsules containing aloe-chitin are often used to treat this kind of problem. Microcapsules were applied to cotton fabrics by padding and sleeves were prepared. A hypoallergenic test was applied to the microcapsule emulsion and hydration of the epidermis was evaluated by capacitance methods. The fabric was sterilized by electron beam treatment to satisfy the antibacterial requisite. The results showed that the aloe is transferred from the fabric to the skin, increasing the level of skin hydration. The electron beam method was also shown to be effective for bacteria and fungi and had no effect on the microcapsule properties. It can, therefore, be confirmed that electron beam sterilization has no harmful effects on the type of microcapsule used in this study. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 2282-2286, 2009