Is wool an allergen?

The answer is no.

Many people think that they are allergic to wool, because when they wear it, it causes them to itch. In fact, it is a myth, there is no evidence that it is an allergen (even among farmers and workers who are highly exposed to it).

What causes wool irritation?

Irritation due to wool is related to the high fiber diameter. Quality wools like merino (fine and extra-fine) are small enough to be well tolerated by the skin and may even be beneficial for eczema. It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the wool purchased. The price is a good indicator of its quality. It goes in this order: from the lowest to the highest, pure wool, wool, worsted wool, wool, merino wool, fine merino wool and extra-fine merino wool.

What are the benefits that wool brings?

It is a natural fiber, hypoallergenic, which does not promote the proliferation of bacteria or mites and does not release harmful substances. It has even been found that wool blankets, mattresses, and carpets would have beneficial effects on health (provided they are well cleaned). It is a self-cleaning fiber, which needs to be ventilated from time to time and thoroughly washed only once a year (a little more for everyday use).

If I really have an allergic reaction, what can it be due to?

In fact, the known allergies are rather those to lanolin, those to soaps used to wash wool or dyes. It may also be treated to reduce shrinkage, which can be the cause of certain allergic manifestations.

Reactions to lanolin (fat that comes from sheep that sticks to wool) are however very rare (0.07%) and with modern industries, very few traces remain.

Note that we get used to wearing wool and it does not sting after a while.

Reference :
 (Professor Pascal DEMOLY, allergist)
  (National Library Of Medicine)

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