Wool and skin health: eczema soothed

In a previous article, we already debunked the myth that wool causes allergies. But there's an even more surprising scientific twist to that story: not only does fine wool not irritate the skin, but serious research shows it can actively improve the symptoms of a chronic skin condition as common as eczema.

Several clinical studies conducted in Australia have examined the effect of wearing superfine Merino wool clothing in children, adolescents, and adults suffering from eczema. The results converge on the same conclusion: worn for at least six hours a day over a six-week period, this type of clothing significantly reduces dryness, redness, and itching, compared to cotton clothing.

The mechanism behind this beneficial effect largely relies on the same moisture-regulating capacity we've already discussed. Skin affected by eczema tends to dry out excessively, creating a vicious cycle of irritation and scratching. By maintaining a more stable microclimate, fine wool appears to measurably interrupt this vicious cycle.

It's important to specify that this property doesn't apply to just any wool: it is specifically documented for particularly fine fibers, with an average diameter of around 17.5 microns or less.

For Makeloo Studio, this information reinforces the importance of knowing the fineness of each batch of wool we process, in order to guide our customers with specific needs—especially parents of young children with sensitive skin—towards the most appropriate fibers from our production.

Source: International Wool Textile Organisation, Wool Notes, Issue 3 (2024), citing Acta Dermato Venereologica (2016) and British Journal of Dermatology (2017).