Wool and Allergies - SmartWool and Allergies



Tag: Smartwool Socks.
First I'd like to tell you my personal story, and how I got interested to find out everything I can about wool and allergies. If you just want the facts, you can skip the first paragraph of this article.

I stopped wearing wool when I was about 10 years old. There was a time when even when wool was not on my skin I simply couldn't handle it. Sounds crazy, and you can imagine how this sounded to my mother. But, a wool sweater felt like a torture. I remember in particular that my hands were so sensitive, that it was enough for me to accidently touch the sweater a couple of times during the day for my hands to be red and itchy. I remember I wanted only cotton to touch my skin. About ten years later I went to test myself on allergies for the first time. Test on my hand showed that I'm moderately allergic to dust, very allergic to anther dust, and to some chemicals which were used in soaps long time ago. Surprisingly, no wool allergy. Another 5 years later I got enough courage to get myself a hand made wool sweater. I could wear them. I would feel uncomfortable to wear them too often, but other than that it's okay. I'm quite less sensitive to wool now, but still sensitive.

The truth is that true allergy to wool is very rare, and it quite possible that you're not allergic to wool if your skin is sensitive to wool, even if you can't stand it. The vast majority of people feels some itching at times, it's only a matter who can stand it. You see, all people can't be allergic to wool, it is only a question of the degree you're sensitive to it. What I've figured out over the years is that people who have other allergies, ANY kind of allergy, they tend to be more sensitive to wool. People with any kind of dermatitis (especially eczema) have more sensitive skin and are oversensitive to wool.

Another proof that you're not allergic but "just" oversensitive to wool is if you feel itching to some kinds of coarse fibers. I'm also oversensitive to some synthetic fibers, it is the same pain.

International Wool Secretariat reported that about 30% of American consumers tell they are alergic to wool. Knowing the benefits of wool sweaters and socks over other ones, it would be a real shame for so many people not to wear wool. That is why companies such as Smartwool want to fill in this gap. Smartwool has developed premier merino wool and I recommend that you try it. Believe me, you'll feel reborn.

First, they remove any kind of allergic content from the fiber. The wool itself is from the finest, highest quality merino sheep. They treat the fiber, it becomes so thin, many times thiner than human hair. Those fiber ends become very pleasant, it's a completely different feeling from regular wool. Like that's not enough, they treat the fiber with (natural) wax. This wax treatment makes the touch of smartwool socks very unique. However, the touch is not it's primary reason. The primary reason is that this fiber turns any kind of liquid into vapor. This is a very important feature, this way your legs are super dry. Not to mention that keeping the legs dry prevents the bacteria development. Not to mention that with dry legs it's almost impossible to get blisters!

I don't want to sell you. I genuinely haven't met a person who is sensitive to Smartwool. You should most definitely risk to order a pair of socks and try them. They keep your legs cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Perfect for any outdoor activities.