Swanndri - Adverse reactions

[Big Geordie]

Hi all,
I'm about to buy a swannie from a pal but when I took it home to try it SWMBO had a VERY adverse reaction.
She had a rash on one arm within 10 minutes, her asthma started to worsen and we were thinking about going to hospital.
With anti histamines etc. things settled down. Has anyone heard of this before?
George

 

[falcon]

Only from one person who developed an eczema type problem. I always feel it's necessary to wear T -shirt or baselayer underneath as they are a bit itchy. Obviously a problem with sensitive skin but has SWMBO had a general problem with wool ? One for the doc I guess...

 

[jamesdevine]

No I have hand no problems with my ranger shirt and i have never heard here of anyone have a problem they are 100% wool. I can only imagine that she is allergic to the wool or it has been contaminated from some other source. I'd ask your friend where it was stored and what with and maybe give it a good wash.

Thats all I can come up with. Hope your lady feels better.

James

 

[Swampy Matt]

Its more likely to be a reaction to something ON the wool rather than the wool itself as an allergy to wool is extremely rare - it's like being allergic to your own hair, as chemically wool is almost identical to hair.
A lot of people find wool irritating to wear (itchy), but never heard of it causing a reaction like that before.

It might be a reaction to the waterproofing used on the shirt.

 

[capacious]

Has anyone else noticed that this is in the Edged Tools section? Perhaps the swannie had lots of tiny little blades stabbing and cutting and maybe I've had WAY too much coffee....

 

[Hellz]

Does your pal have any animals? Cat or dog hair could cause some sort of allergic reaction?

As has been said, one for the doctor.

(Although I think Swannies are worth it )

Hellz

 

[Nod]

Didn't have any reactions with mine. My daughter suffers from seasonal asthma and she actually likes to cuddle up to the Swannie as she likes the feel of it.

I think as others have said, there must be something on the wool, or it's been in contact with something else that set off the attack.

 

[Doc]

'Oiled wool' containd wool fat, ie, Lanolin. Lanolin sensitivity is not that common but it does occur. Some emollients (eg E45) contain lanolin.

The other possiblity is that the swannie contained dust/hair from dogs/cat/horse or some other allergen

 

[Marts]

What are you doing letting SWMBO wear it!!!

Mind you you can find the positive here - at least she won't be asking to borrow it anymore
(Hope she gets better BTW)

 

[Mat]

George,

I have a similar reaction whenever I wear mine. I suffer from mild asthma and eczema and my arms always itch like hell when I wear it. I find a long sleeved t-shirt underneath makes a big difference. Can't say my asthma is any worse though.

Mat

 

[Snapper]

Been using a swannie for years now. Good bit of kit. Never washed it. Guess its one of those things you either get on with or don't.

 

[Jjv110]

I haven't got a Swannie, I have a 100% wool coat bought brand new, and the collar creates a red bumpy rash on my neck. Wool often does this to me. I still wear it though but with some form of improvised lining.

A rash can occur sometimes due to the wahsing powder used, in any garment.

Also, if the Swannie has been kept in a dusty area, this may cause some problems for people with sensitive skin. Just give it a wash using nuetral washing powder or soap, not using any fabric conditoner or anything like that and it should be okay.

 

[andyn]

'Oiled wool' containd wool fat, ie, Lanolin. Lanolin sensitivity is not that common but it does occur. Some emollients (eg E45) contain lanolin.

The other possiblity is that the swannie contained dust/hair from dogs/cat/horse or some other allergen

I was thinking this very same thing. My mother is very sensitive to lanolin and has to be very careful with many body creams that she purchases. She also has funny reactions to wool products, but only in hte rash sense rather than having problems breathing

 

[Rob]

I suffer from a few mild animal allergies. If i go and rub my eyes after rubbing a sheep, then i get a pretty interesting reaction. No reaction from my swannie though.

I think that Doc is probably on the right tracks.

If the reaction was that severe, then I wouldnt be trying to use a base layer, I would be avoiding the coat.

 

[Longstrider]

If i go and rub my eyes after rubbing a sheep, then i get a pretty interesting reaction.

. Mind yourself there Rob, rumours start this way !

(No offence meant, I just couldn't resist it! )

 

[2blackcat]

Don't ask him about goats

 

[JonnyP]

No probs with my swanni, in fact I use it to scratch with when I wake up in the morning....................Jon

 

[Rob]

Don't ask him about goats

It wasnt me trying to pull myself up over the gate to look at the cute baby goats

 

[Big Geordie]

Thanks for the info guys..And I'm also certain she won't want to borrow it.
George

 

[MagiKelly]

I'm beginning to think I should not have let the cat pee on it now