Lanolin Reactions

Lanolin is an oily substance produced by glands in sheep's skin. It is extracted from the wool or fleece after shearing, refined and used in the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and cleaning products. Some lanolin remains in the wool that is later spun and used for textiles, such as rugs, blankets and clothing.

Features

• An allergic reaction to lanolin mostly likely would be in the form of swelling, redness and itching of the skin that was exposed to wool or a product containing lanolin.

Considerations

• Some people are sensitive to certain forms of lanolin and are immune to others. Chemically modified lanolin, such as the kind found in cosmetics and ointments, might produce an allergic reaction, while lanolin in other forms, such as that found in wool fibers, might not. Since lanolin is a natural product, it's potency can vary. Lanolin is known by other names, including wool grease, wool wax, amerchol, aloholes lanae, anyhydrous lanolin and adeps lanae anhydrous.

Prevention/Solution

• Your doctor can conduct a patch test to determine whether or not an allergy exists. Initial treatment would include removing the source of the allergen, that is stopping the use of all allergen-containing products.