Explaining Winter Rashes

Have you ever met someone who refused to wear wool because it made him/her itch? Can you be allergic to wool? Is there any truth to that?

Winter skin can be very sensitive. Dry and cracked, it is at risk for all sorts of irritation and allergies from its surroundings.

So what's the truth about wool allergies? Patients commonly have an allergy to lanolin, which is known as a wool alcohol. In general, wool alcohols are excellent moisturizers for the skin and are naturally obtained from the fleece of sheep. They are commonly used in makeups, skin and hair care products (such as moisturizers, soaps, and shampoos), and toiletries.

You may be thinking that if you are allergic to lanolin does that mean you truly need to avoid wool? The answer actually is no. Most experts agree that the problems people experience from wool clothing comes more from irritation caused by coarse fibers rather than a true allergy. This still may be a problem for patients during the winter, especially those with eczema. However, wearing a cotton layer of clothes below the wool may be enough to prevent it from rubbing directly against the skin.

But, if you are particularly sensitive, then avoiding wool altogether may be the way to go. Skin dryness over the winter may be difficult to manage, so there's no need to add any extra irritation!