There are three categories of fabrics available: natural; synthetic; and natural/synthetic mixture. Each may represent a problem to an allergy sufferer.
Natural fabrics
Organic Wool Duvet
Simply because a fabric is "natural" does not necessarily mean that it is "safe" for people with skin allergies. Wool is one example of a natural fabric that can cause intense irritation to some people. The reason for this appears to be the irritating effect of the wool fibres. Many of us, whether we have allergies or not, are familiar with the itchy feeling a woollen garment often has when worn next to the skin, an effect likely to be worse in people who already have eczema or dermatitis.
There is a popular misconception that it is the lanolin present in wool the produces the itchiness, but this is unlikely, since allergy to lanolin is rare in the general population. Nor is it particularly high among people who have skin allergies - some studies suggest that only about 1 percent of people with dermatitis are sensitive to lanolin allergens. This figure is even further decreased by the very refined, high-grade lanolin that is used in many skin-care products and preparations made for people with dry-skin conditions. Therefore, even if you suffer with true wool sensitivity due to lanolin allergens, skin-care products containing high-grade lanolin may be used safely. Ask your pharmacist for advice on suitable products.
Natural fabrics that are not usually associated with allergic reactions and should, therefore, not cause problems are cotton, silk, and leather. Most people suffering with eczema find that cotton clothing and bedding are far more comfortable than those made from wool or synthetic fibres. This is probably because cotton causes less sweating and skin irritation. There are specialist suppliers of unbleached, untreated cotton clothing and bedding.
Synthetics and natural/synthetic mixtures
One of the commonest of the synthetic fabrics is polyester, which is also found as component of some plastics and adhesives. Some clothes are bedding are made solely from polyester, but polyester fibres can also be combined with cotton to make what is known as polycotton. This material is frequently used for clothing, bed linen, carpeting, and as the stuffing in duvets and quilts.
Individuals can different greatly in their tolerance of synthetics and natural/synthetic mixtures. Some people, for example, find that the type of dye used with polyester fibres irritate their skin, while polycotton and cotton products labelled "easy-care", "crease-resistant", or "non-iron" have been treated with formaldehyde, a chemical that can cause a skin irritation in a few individuals.
Finishings and fasteners
Even if you have done your homework, and have managed to avoid buying any clothes or bedding made from fabrics to which you may react, something as simple as a rough seam or edge on a garment could be enough to irritate the skin of an eczeme sufferer and set up a reaction. Likewise, any exposed metal poppers, buttons, or zippers on clothes and bedding could be the trigger. Popper fasteners are popular on baby clothes, but these should be attached to the garment in such a way that they do not come into contact with the infant's skin.