Humans have recognized the benefits of woollen garments and textiles for millennia. But if you ask a consumer for their thoughts on this venerable fibre, chances are you’ll hear the word itchy—a lot. Indeed, forty-three percent of those polled in a global consumer study declared that they would never buy wool because they considered it too itchy, prickly, or uncomfortable[i].
The science behind wool-based skin irritation is complex and includes factors like fiber size, the chemical residues of commercial wool processing, and allergic reactions to naturally occurring compounds like lanolin. Unravelling the root causes of wool-based skin sensitivity is crucial for both consumer and industry if we are to make the most of this versatile natural fibre—for humans and the planet.
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