Wool spirits allergy.

What are wool alcohols?

Wool alcohols are the main component of lanolin in which Allergens they find each other. Lanolin is a natural product obtained from sheep's fleece. Tallow it is extracted from wool, cleaned and refined to produce anhydrous lanolin. This comprises 3 parts, wool alcohols, fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Wool alcohols are currently considered the main sensitizers in lanolin, but if they are the only sensitizers, more research is needed. Today there is also chemically modified lanolin that may be less sensitizing than natural lanolin.

Wool alcohols, wool grease, anhydrous lanolin, lanolin alcohol, wool wax, and wool grease are just some of the terms used interchangeably with lanolin. In this article we will use wool alcohols, since this fraction of lanolin is the main cause of contact. allergies.

What products contain wool alcohols?

Lanolin is a good emulsifier; This means that it binds well with water, making it particularly useful in the manufacture of pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. Wool alcohols are found in many pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and toiletries. They also have some industrial uses.

What are the reactions of allergy to wool spirits?

Typical allergic contact dermatitis Reactions may occur in people allergic to wool alcohols. the eruption It is characteristically found on the face, hands, and arms. There may be intense inflammation and redness of the affected area within a few hours, or the rash may appear after a day or two of the product being used.

Am I allergic to wool alcohols?

Patch Tests using wool alcohol to 30% in petrolatum are what is commonly used to assess sensitivity to wool alcohols. Although wool alcohols are the main sensitizers in lanolin, they cannot always be the cause of sensitivity and patch tests with natural lanolin from various sources are also recommended.

The development of chemically modified lanolin can help reduce incidence of skin reactions to natural lanolin. However, there have been cases in which patients have shown marked sensitivity to modified lanolin, but not to natural lanolin. Dermatitis caused by modified lanolin can be overlooked if the patch test is limited to testing with wool alcohols and natural lanolin only.

Since lanolin is a natural product, its constituents vary according to its source. Therefore, an individual may be allergic to some lanolin-containing products but not to others. A product self-test may be performed to detect an allergy to lanolin-containing products, but should be done only after first talking to your doctor. This should be done only with products designed to stay on the skin, such as cosmetics and lotions. Apply a small amount (50 cent size area) of the product to a small sensitive area of the skin, such as the curve of your arm or neck daily for 5 to 7 days. Examine the area daily and if no reaction occurs, you are unlikely to be allergic to it, although it can still act as a irritating. Products such as soaps, polishes, and waxes should not be tested in this manner.

Management of dermatitis caused by wool alcohol allergy.

Once dermatitis appears on the skin, the first thing to do is remove the source. In most cases, this would involve stopping the use of all lanolin-containing products.

Standard treatment with emollients and current steroids must not contain lanolin.

What should I do to avoid wool alcohol allergy?

If you are allergic to wool alcohol, the best way to avoid any problems is to avoid all products that contain wool alcohols. Check all product labels for ingredient list and do not use if they contain wool alcohols or any of the other wool alcohol names. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist for advice and a suitable alternative.

Alert your doctor to the fact that you are allergic to wool alcohols. This is particularly important since some topical medications that your doctor may prescribe contain wool alcohols.

your dermatologist You may have more specific advice, especially if you are very sensitive to wool alcohols.

Alternative names for wool alcohol

Wool alcohol is also known by several other names. These include:

• Adeps lanae anhydrous
• Aloholes lanae
• Amerchol
• Lanolin anhydrous
• Lanolin
• Fat wool
• Wool grease
• Wool wax

Avoid all this. At work, request a material safety data sheet to help identify potential sources of exposure.

More information

Cross reactions: cetyl or stearyl alcohols (Eucerin ™, Aquaphor ™)

Sensitizer: Wool alcohol is the main sensitizer for lanolin.

Patch test: Wool alcohol 30% in petrolatum