Wool Quilts: The Hypoallergenic Choice

by Halcyon Dreams Australian Wool Quilts Online

If you’re considering buying a new doona for the winter months, you may be thinking of choosing a wool quilt rather than a synthetic polyester version.

Your choice may be down to the fact that you prefer the idea of sleeping surrounded by natural materials or it may be because you need hypoallergenic bedding. We look at the reasons why woollen quilts are the perfect choice for anyone who suffers from allergies.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

The dictionary definition of ‘hypoallergenic’ is something that’s ‘relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction’. This means that, unlike items that are labelled anti-allergy or anti-allergenic, hypoallergenic materials could potentially cause allergy.

Why is Woollen Bedding Hypoallergenic?

The woolly fleece of sheep has evolved to keep them warm, dry and comfortable in all types of weather. The structure of the wool fibres enables them to absorb moisture in the air and then release it through evaporation to ensure that the sheep’s skin remains dry and healthy.

When used for bedding, wool’s ability to control moisture also means that inhibits the growth of dust mites, bacteria and fungus thus making it a better alternative for anyone with an allergy to dust mites.

Can You Be Allergic to Wool?

Some people claim to have an allergy to wool and indeed, most of us have felt uncomfortable in some items of woollen clothing. However, it’s usually down to the quality of the wool rather than being allergic to the wool itself.

Rough and coarse textured woollen fibres can cause skin irritation and most manufacturers now keep this kind of wool for household items such as rugs and carpets. Garments made from finer wools such as Merino are far softer on the skin and still have the same breathable properties.

If you believe that you have an allergy to wool, it could be that you’re allergic to lanolin, the oil that coats the woollen fibres to make them waterproof.

Having an allergic reaction to woollen bedding is very rare as the fibres are washed and processed to ensure that the lanolin is removed before they are used to manufacture wool quilts or woollen underlays.

The removal of lanolin means that you’re unlikely to suffer skin irritation from bedding made from wool. It’s also rare for people to experience respiratory issues from being in contact with wool.

Choose Wool for Its Natural Properties

Wool is the perfect hypoallergenic choice for anyone who wants to use natural bedding materials but finds that they are sensitive to fillings such as feathers or down.

It’s also a great choice if you experience fluctuations in body temperature while sleeping as its ability to regulate temperature and absorb moisture from the body means that you’ll feel far more comfortable in bed.