No Parent wants to see their child irritated or in pain, we all want happy and healthy kids. For many parents of eczema sufferers, they want to see their children free of the sores and redness and itches that go with Eczema. What is more, they just want a peaceful night’s sleep for their children and themselves.
In the past much of the advice for parents of children with eczema has included avoiding wool as it could act as a trigger for eczema outbreaks. While this may have been sound advice in the past, new research has shown that when it comes to superfine merino the results are very different.
Researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found that superfine wool ensembles were associated with a moderate reduction in symptoms after 3 weeks and a high reduction after 6 weeks when compared with the cotton ensembles. Body steroid use was also reduced. Conversely, changing ensembles from wool to cotton resulted in an increase in symptoms. This evidence suggest that one staple of any eczema mitigation or minimisation plan should be ultrafine merino wool.
Approximately 20-30% of children will suffer from eczema. For many, symptoms will reduce or completely disappear with time, while others are less lucky. In either case, given that there is no cure, the most important thing is understanding ways to prevent the stressors that can lead to flare ups as well as to have a plan that works for you and your child when flare up occur.
The moisture and temperature management properties of merino are key reasons that wool proved to be comparatively more effective than cotton. Wool acts as a second skin, insulating the body from the outer elements. The low thermal conductivity of wool insulated the body, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. Wool also works to move moisture away from the skin, absorbing one third of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. These properties keep the environment around the skin stable and help prevent the conditions that lead to eczema flare ups (Three reasons why wool is good for your health, 2015)
At henry and grace we go one step further than those conducting the study at MCRI. In place of superfine merino which can be up to 17.5 micron, we use only Gostwyck Ultrafine Merino. Our Ultrafine merino is only 15 microns thick, lending it additional softness on sensitive skin. Every fleece shorn on Gostwyck is tested for its exact micron. This total traceability and attention to detail allows us to ensure that henry and grace garments are totally comfortable next to skin.
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- Hamilton, J. (n.d.). Beneath the Surface: Parenting a Child with Eczema. Retrieved from National Eczema Association: https://nationaleczema.org/parenting-a-child-ecze...
- J.C. Su, R. D. (July 2017). Determining Effects of Superfine Sheep wool in INfantile Eczema (DESSINE): a randomized paediatric crossover study. British Journal of Dermatology, 125-133.
- Lilly, A. (2018). Merino Wool. Retrieved from The Healthy Mummy: https://www.healthymummy.com/merino-wool/
- The Woolmark Company. (2017). Wool is good for the Skin. Retrieved from Woolmark: https://www.wool.com/globalassets/start/about-awi...
- Three reasons why wool is good for your health. (2015 March 27) Retrieved from Health 24: https://www.health24.com/Parenting/Child/Three-re...