Dear Itchy Wool,

When it comes to wearing garments made of wool, and even acrylic or other fibrous materials, the prickle and itch factor can be a major determinant of whether or not one can wear such items comfortably. The irritating effect of wearing wool directly on the skin has long been thought to be the result of an allergy to the wool itself. With continuing research in this area, it's becoming more and more clear that few people have a true allergy to wool, and that it's the mechanics of the fiber itself that irritate the skin. This appears to be true even in people with sensitizing skin conditions, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis, who are already more susceptible to discomfort from wearing clothing against their skin made with these materials.

It's believed that the pain receptors are largely responsible for the prickle that's perceived from wearing wool and other fibers.

People vary in how they experience prickle and itch sensations from contact with natural and synthetic fibers. In some particularly sensitive folks, their skin can redden from the exposure. Other individual factors, such as thickness of the skin, age, moisture on the skin, and temperature of the skin, also can affect the intensity and degree of these sensations. As people get older, their skin tends to thicken, which can help to decrease the perception of prickle. Itchy fabrics don't feel as itchy against the thicker skin found on the palms of one's hands. On the other hand, increased moisture on (i.e., from sweating, applying moisturizers) and temperature of the skin can increase the perception of prickle.

Qualities of the fibers themselves, such as length and thickness, may play parts in causing skin discomfort as well. For example, shorter fibers seem to accentuate the perception of prickle, as there are more fiber ends to be felt in any given surface area of fabric. Similarly, coarser fibers appear more likely to intensify prickling sensation than their finer counterparts.

So, what can one do to limit or prevent the prickle and itch when wearing fibrous textiles? A person can avoid wearing them altogether, particularly recommended for people with eczema. This doesn't seem like an option for you, considering how much you love to wear your warm woolen garments during the winter. The pantyhose you've tried apparently is an inadequate barrier. Consider using other lining materials, such as thin knit silk or cotton undergarments, or perhaps even woven nylon or polyester pants liners, all of which can be found in the lingerie department of many apparel stores. Buy pants and skirts that are already nearly or fully lined. Avoiding prolonged contact with fibrous materials can help. Another option is wearing only "high end" wools, which often have sufficiently fine fibers.

Hope these suggestions sufficiently scratched your itch,

Alice

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