Why does wool make me itch

BeyondWool Series. Miss Baabuka Project. Contact Us. Close cart. English - Deutsche We've all experienced that itchy and uncomfortable wool from a grandmother's sweater, right?

Why does wool itch? It all comes down to quality. Does Merino wool itch? There are a few reasons why this wool different from the others: Fiber length Merino wool has an excellent fiber length. When the fibers are shorter, or if wool has a wider fiber length, it will cause an itchy feeling. The fibers will rub against the skin becoming bothersome. Merino wool has lengthy and soft fibers that are comfortable to wear. Fiber diameter. Merino wool has a very small diameter.

Because of this small diameter, the fiber can bend easier and it's much more flexible. Merino wool fibers easily bend against the skin and they don't cause itching. Why should you wear Merino lined sneakers? Warum juckt eine Wolle, aber nicht Merinowolle? Warum kratzt Wolle? Beginning in the s, doctors considered wool an allergen.

However, as testing for allergies became more common, many people had negative results for wool. This frequent finding led some researchers to propose that wool allergy was a myth and to begin to look for other factors that might be causing the symptoms.

They also found wool allergy has increased over the past decade making it more common than first suspected. Response to an allergy can develop quickly and may progress to more severe symptoms. Meanwhile, with a sensitivity, any number of things could cause a surface-level irritation that easily goes away once the irritant is removed.

Babies are prone to skin irritations because their skin barrier is thinner, and therefore, more sensitive. They may get contact dermatitis from chemicals or fibers in their clothing and blankets. Contact dermatitis usually appears on the skin right where it was touching the irritating material. It can appear red, dry, cracked, or blistered.

However, one small study found that superfine merino wool actually produced less irritation in infants than cotton clothing. Two other studies found that superfine Merino wool did not cause reactions in children or any age group.

At any rate, unless allergies run in the family, superfine wool is probably safe for children, and it can be very helpful for keeping winter babies warm. Always consult with your pediatrician if you have specific concerns. Based on your medical history, you could have an increased risk of wool allergy. People who have allergies or asthma may be allergic to multiple things.

One way you can test for wool allergy yourself is to continue wearing the same wool garment but put a thick underlayer between the wool and your skin. You might just have sensitive skin. If you suspect a wool allergy, see your doctor. Allergists doctors who specializes in the treatment of allergies use a number of tools to understand your symptoms and make a proper diagnosis.

If you do have a wool allergy, your doctor can tell you how severe your allergy is and how to prevent and treat it. Wool allergy is believed to come from lanolin — a protective, waxy layer that covers every strand of sheep hair. Lanolin is a complex substance and is often added to cosmetics and ointments for its moisturizing properties.

Lanolin allergy is rare. As well as being more breathable and odor resistant, these fabrics are better for the environment and even promote health benefits such as improved sleeping patterns and eczema relief. It is likely that people showing a skin sensitivity to coarse wool garments, will also find other rough fabrics uncomfortable to wear.

High quality natural fibres and skilled craftsmanship can create a softer fabric, providing comfort for highly sensitive wearers. Modern studies are debunking the myths surrounding wool allergens and the effects of wool on the skin. The Woolmark company has undertaken, with a team of allergists, immunologists and dermatologists , a study looking at reports from the last years claiming that wool can cause allergy, to check the validity of the findings.

The aim was to examine these past reports with consideration to modern fibre processing techniques. Although some of the reports did state wool was an allergen, these reports were invalid because of the limitations of the studies. The group of multi-disciplinary specialists concluded that any irritation made by wool was due to coarse fibres protruding out of the fabric, abrading the skin as opposed to an allergy to the fibre itself.

Although it is possible to be allergic to wool alcohols, or lanolin , which is found naturally in sheep wool and is removed from the fibre before being made into yarn and fabrics. People with an allergy to lanolin can still wear wool that is processed using modern day practices.

Lanolin can be found in many cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and has some industrial uses. A micron is the unit of measurement commonly used to reference the diameter of a fibre. One micron is a millionth of a metre.

Prickle factor refers to the feeling and abrasion of the individual fibres pushing into the skin. Woolmark recommends next to skin fibres to be less than 24 microns in diameter, to eliminate any discomfort. Common natural fibres well suited to those with sensitive skin include silk , cashmere , cotton and fine merino. These fibres can all be sourced with a low micron count, making them soft to the touch.