Allergies to merino wool

[josiebrat]

Has anyone found a fiber you can wet felt with or needle felt that's non allergic? One if my students broke out when using the merino in class. I guess her Mom did not know she had this allergy. Thanks

[sundownalpacas]

Alpaca, it is hypo allergenic and felts.

[Shepherdess]

Alpaca or llama are a different animal so passably she would not react. Unfortunately you can be allergic to anything. Where you wet felting? She may be allergic to the soap.

[Frances]

Good point with the soap - stopped using the olive oil soap I had because my palms got so dry they were peeling. Has she tried wearing surgical type gloves.

[Shepherdess]

Yes the same thing is not good for everyone. I used to make sheep's milk soap. my friend with eczema loved it but my daughter would react and get a rash.

[Pandagirl]

I would think its more the soap than the wool. Supposedly, from what I've read wool allergy is very rare. People are more allergic to the lanolin in the wool. But if it's been processed it's unlikely the wool.

[josiebrat]

We were wet felting and using olive oil soap. No gloves as the kids have difficulty working with them. I use them sometimes, but prefer to feel my wool when felting. Anyway, I'm going to try the alpaca this week and switch to Dawn soap and see what happens. I myself am allergic to wools in clothing unless they are lined. When I started wearing merino I had no problem. I guess it affects everyone differently. Thank you all for your good advice. Will keep you posted.

[josiebrat]

Frances what do you use in place of soap for wet felting?

[Frances]

Oh I still use some type of dish-washing liquid or mild shampoo - you might try baby shampoo - I also cannot wear wool next to my skin - It makes me itch but I do not get a rash. I wear a turtle neck or T Shirt under wool sweaters even cashmere and alpaca. But working with it does not cause a problem on my hands. I also try and remember to put a really good cream on my hands before I start - Aloe Vesta Protective Ointment .is a good "barrier cream" - it is used in hospitals on people with incontinence. So you might want to try a product like that also - I have thought using the creams that go on baby's bottoms

[josiebrat]

Greetings everyone,

To update from my last post. Last week's class went well. I had some neutral color alpaca on hand so I did a combo wet/needle felting bunny (at least I started). I took this to class along with some Dawn dishwashing liquid and let the one student use. She did not break out and I'm not sure if this was due to the fiber or soap. I have ordered some colored alpaca and will use this for the one student during the rest of the class.
Thanks Frances for your input on this subject. I'm also going to look at the Aloe Vesta Protective Ointment.

On a side note, I also have dry skin. When I first started felting my hands were fine with the olive oil soap, but during the winter months they appear to be much drier. If anyone has any advise on what they do to keep the moisture in their hands please let me know. Historically, I have always had somewhat drier skin especially in the winter months but with felting it's much worst now. Oh well, the joy of felting.

[Pandagirl]

I'm glad to hear there were no more breakouts. I have dry skin and always use a moisturizer after washing my hands or dishes or felting. If they really get bad, you can use a heavier moisturizer at night and wear cotton gloves. Good luck!

[MTRuth]

I use Honey House Naturals Bee Bar. It works really well, it's all natural ingredients and it forms a protective barrier too.

www.purplepomegranate.com/mixed-media/honey-house-naturals/

[josiebrat]

Thanks Marilyn and Ruth . I've tried many moisturizers and my skin is still dry so I just ordered the Honey House Natural Bee Bar recommended by Ruth and see how it works. I'm also going to use the white gloves at night as this has worked for me in the past . I just need to remember to use them all the time to make it more effective.

[MTRuth]

Hi Josie - I use the Bee Bar twice a day, once in the morning and then more heavily in the evening before bed. This would work well with the gloves after the Bee Bar. Hope it works for you!

[josiebrat]

thanks Ruth, I can't wait to try this product.