Wool is one of the best materials to wear when it’s cold and damp, despite some minor discomforts it may cause, such as itching.
Knit sweaters can be among the warmest outfits you should wear when temperatures drop. However, this insulating material can easily lead to itching when worn directly against the skin.
Wearing wool directly on the skin can easily cause itching. (Photo: Getty).
So, what is it about wool that makes us feel so itchy and uncomfortable?
According to scientists, one of the main reasons is the thickness of the wool fibers used to make the garment.
Professor Ingun Kleep from Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway believes that the thicker the wool fiber, the itchier it is. Another factor is the softness of the fibers used to create the clothing.
Essentially, synthetic fiber types can be abrasive and less flexible. They easily lead to itching and irritation on the skin, while thinner, softer fibers, such as merino wool or lamb’s wool, possess a down-like quality that does not cause itching.
A less common cause of itching is the presence of lanolin—a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals.
According to Healthline, lanolin is also known as wool wax or wool fat. It is excellent for restoring dry, cracked skin, but it can also cause reactions on the skin in some individuals.
“Some people may not be allergic to wool, but they could be allergic to lanolin,” Professor Ingun Kleep explains.
According to the Norwegian Scientific Organization, despite the usual discomfort when wearing it, wool remains one of the best materials to wear in cold and damp weather. This is because wool has a natural function in absorbing sweat and moisture from the surface of our skin.
The difference between cotton and wool is that when cotton fibers get wet, they tend to become damp and collapse. In contrast, wool is more breathable and has better moisture-wicking properties. Additionally, it retains warmth over time with less degradation.
