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Silk and Allergies

Silk is considered a luxury fabric; many people strive to include silk in their wardrobe, which is sometimes considered a status symbol. Even though silk is a natural fiber, since it contains protein chains it can be an allergen for some people.

  1. Allergies

    • The main allergies that silk produces are asthma and allergic rhinitis. Symptoms of the latter include runny nose and itchy eyes that are similar to hay fever.

    Causes

    • There is a variety of causes of those allergies. Some people can be allergic to domesticated silk, some to wild silk and some to the dust that can be given off by spun silk. There are times when the diet of the silk worm can cause those allergies, since that diet may influence the protein chains found in the silk fiber.

    Other Causes

    • Other times the sericin, a sticky protein that coats the strand of the silk, may be the reason for the allergy. Sometime that protein isn't removed properly from the strand.

    Silk Dyes and Allergies

    • The dyeing of silk can also be a cause for health problems. Silk is a highly absorptive material. Therefore it will cause more of an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to dye chemicals.

    Remedies

    • If you are allergic to silk, sometimes avoiding it will be your only alternative. However, if you are allergic to the dye and just love how that fabric feels, there are ways to still wear silk and not have to suffer the consequences. You can opt to use raw silk, natural undyed silk or golden-hued Muga silk.

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