Wool is one of the best materials for clothes. It is especially great for outdoor and travel wear thanks to its temperature regulation, quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties. 

Despite its great qualities, many people are concerned that wool makes you itchy. That’s a valid concern since there’s something like wool allergy and wool sensitivity. If your skin gets itchy or develops rashes whenever you wear anything woolen, you might have one of these conditions. 

Interestingly, however, research has found that it’s not the wool that causes allergic reactions. Here’s what you need to know about wool allergy/sensitivity and the best alternatives. 

Textile Dermatitis 

Some people have textile dermatitis. This is a type of contact dermatitis that’s triggered by coming into contact with certain types of fabrics. Symptoms include redness, itching and rashes. 

Any fabric can cause textile dermatitis. For instance, some people are allergic to polyester, others react to silk and latex allergy is also common. 

Wool can also cause textile dermatitis in people who have wool allergy or sensitivity. It can be accompanied by additional symptoms such as itchy eyes and a runny nose.    

Is Wool Allergy Real?

Wool allergy is real in the sense that there are people who react to wearing woolen clothing, particularly sweaters, scarves and other items with a thicker fabric. 

But in the last several decades, there has been a lot of debate and research on whether wool is actually allergic. 

Current evidence strongly suggests that wool is NOT an allergen nor does it cause hypersensitivity. If your skin reacts every time you wear anything made from wool, there are four possible explanations. 

1. You Are Allergic to Lanolin 

Lanolin is a waxy substance that covers every strand of sheep’s wool. Sheep produce lanolin to make wool waterproof. 

Some people are allergic to lanolin and will react to wearing woolen clothes. But lanolin allergy is rare even in people with existing skin problems like eczema. So chances are that you are not reacting to the lanolin in merino wool. What else could it be?

2. You are Reacting to Chemicals in the Fabric

Another possible cause of textile dermatitis in woolen clothes is the chemicals used in the manufacturing process. As we discussed in a previous post about hypoallergenic clothing, it's the chemicals in clothes and not the fabrics themselves that cause textile dermatitis. These chemical irritants include formaldehyde, dyes and glue. 

But clothes made with 100% natural fibers contain very low levels of chemical additives. Research has found that modern wool clothing is highly unlikely to cause skin reactions due to chemicals in the fabric. 

That said, there is still a possibility that some people might react to a chemical in wool clothing, even if it's present in low levels. 

3. The Wool Fibers are Irritating Your Skin

The last and most likely explanation is that you are wearing woolen clothing with thick and coarse fibers. Researchers have found that wool fabrics with thick fibers can irritate the skin and cause dermatitis. This is true for other types of fabrics as well. 

So the likely reason your wool sweater or scarf makes you itch is not because it’s made from wool, but because it’s made with thick fibers that are abrasive on the skin. The thicker fabric also traps more heat, which can also cause skin irritation.  

Fine or superfine merino wool doesn't have such problems and can actually help reduce eczema symptoms. That’s why items like wool underwear, t-shirts and other items made with finer wool are less likely to cause skin reactions.  

4. It’s the Detergents You Are Using

Another possibility is that the detergents you are using during laundry are irritating your skin. If that’s the problem, you’ll notice that even non-woolen clothes irritate your skin. Switch to a hypoallergenic detergent and stop using fabric softener. 

Best Alternatives to Wool 

If anything woolen causes an allergic reaction, there are alternatives that offer similar benefits. A good example is cashmere. It is even softer than wool and doesn't contain lanolin, so it’s less likely to cause allergies or sensitivity. 

You can also try other natural fabrics like cotton, silk, hemp and linen.