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If you’re prone to allergies, picking hypoallergenic fabrics could be a game-changer for you. You might be familiar with the term “hypoallergenic” but not know what it means. What exactly is a hypoallergenic fabric? Does it really help with allergies? Is it worth your investment?
Look no further for your answers. Today’s blog is everything you need to know about hypoallergenic fabrics.
Keep reading to learn more!
Hypoallergenic fabrics aren’t supposed to contain high amounts of allergy-inducing substances. At least, that’s the idea.
However, no government regulations exist on hypoallergenic fabrics, meaning that any company can label their product hypoallergenic based on their standards. Some products with a hypoallergenic label could still trigger a severe allergic reaction.
For this reason, we highly recommend seeing an allergist and getting tested to find out what you’re allergic to. Then, read all the ingredients on a product to ensure that what you’re allergic to isn’t an active or inactive ingredient. Because of the lack of government regulation, this is your best bet to avoid an allergic reaction.
Having an allergic reaction is never fun, but not everyone recognizes it when they’re having a reaction. It could be as simple as a sneeze, or it could be a life-threatening reaction like anaphylaxis.
Do you have itchy, watery, runny eyes? Are you sneezing? Have some congestion? What about a headache? Those are all symptoms of a mild allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis is much more severe. Symptoms can include:
All of these symptoms can be life-threatening, so be very careful!
Due to the lack of government regulations for hypoallergenic fabrics, there isn’t an official list of materials. But this section focuses on the fabrics that are less likely to trigger your allergies.
Silk
When you think of silk, you might think of the price tag attached to it. Indeed, silk is expensive, but that’s for a reason! Silk is often a great hypoallergenic fabric choice because of its short, coarse fibers. The shorter the fibers of a fabric, the less likely it is to irritate your skin.
Dust mites and a host of other allergens cannot cling to silk, making it a great choice. Many individuals with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis wear silk because the fabric is so smooth against the skin.
Silk is a great choice year-round since it performs well in the summer and winter. And let’s not forget how luxurious silk feels on your skin.
Linen
Linen traces way back, all the way to the stone ages. Okay, maybe not that far, but linen is a solid, all-natural hypoallergenic fabric that’s good for your skin. Linen is soft, clean, and lustrous; those qualities don’t fade over time, either.
Linen allows for excellent breathability, is moisture-wicking, and has long, sturdy fibers, all of which make it ideal for sensitive skin.
Cotton
Cotton is well-known for being hypoallergenic. And it’s no wonder why when you look at cotton’s properties. It’s non-abrasive, easily washable, heat-resistant, and free of chemicals and other irritants that synthetic fibers are known for.
Cotton is ideal for eczema, psoriasis, or other skin sensitivities. It’s also very breathable, making it a great choice if you get hot flashes.
If you’re picking cotton, ensure the fabrics are 100% cotton and not a blend, as blends could contain synthetic materials that your skin doesn’t like. Additionally, some cotton can be treated with dyes that contain toxic chemicals. So, read the ingredients label and ensure you’re getting 100% pure cotton.
Wool
Wool is often considered hypoallergenic, but there’s a misconception that it causes allergies because of its lanolin. Lanolin is waxy and comes from sheep wool. The substance helps sheep repel water from their bodies, keeping them dry. A centrifuge machine removes lanolin from the wool during the production process.
Wool has natural fibers that absorb and desorb moisture, providing a dry environment that doesn’t allow bacteria or fungus to grow.
As we mentioned with cotton, make sure you have 100% pure wool that isn’t treated with dyes that may contain toxic chemicals.
Microfiber
It might surprise you to learn that microfiber is among hypoallergenic fabrics. How? It’s among the synthetic fibers that prevent indoor allergies from growing since the fibers don’t trap allergens. While you can’t entirely rule out an allergic reaction, microfiber is a safe bet.
Bamboo Viscose
Bamboo viscose is hypoallergenic. It has a similar but not as luxurious feel as silk. It’s commonly mistaken for silk or cotton, but it’s an artificial cellulose fiber.
Viscose doesn’t contribute to allergies, although some manufacturers could include chemicals. As with other fabrics, you’ll want to ensure your viscose is 100% pure bamboo viscose so you don’t pick up a fabric you could be allergic to.
However, fabrics made using bamboo viscose are usually blended with cotton or organic cotton, usually in a 70% bamboo viscose, 30% organic cotton ratio.
Wazoodle Fabrics takes excellent care to ensure our fabrics meet multiple criteria, including having hypoallergenic fabrics that are good for your skin! Our fabrics are free of harmful chemicals and finishes that could cause skin irritation for even the softest fabrics.
Are you trying to avoid PFOS, PFOA, lead, dioxins, heavy metals, BPA, phthalates, and super absorbent polymers? Our fabrics are 100% free of all that. You can trust Wazoodle Fabrics with your skin sensitivities and health since many chemicals will do more than just irritate your skin!
Whether you’re a manufacturer or sew at home, Wazoodle Fabrics has what you need. You might already know exactly what you want, or you might start with some 4x4 swatches to make that determination.
Either way, Wazoodle Fabrics is here to help. You can search our website for the best fabrics or contact us. One of our team members will be happy to assist you with whatever you need. Get started today!
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