When you think of fabrics that keep you warm during the winter, wool often comes to mind. Wool is known for its ability to insulate and keep you warm, to absorb moisture, to resist static electricity, and for being inflammable – all of which are great – but wool is also known to be generally coarse and itchy. A simple, no-fuss option might be to use cotton instead because it is soft, breathable, often cheaper and less likely to itch or cause an allergic reaction. Wool clothing, unlike cotton, is more durable, holds its shape better after use, and retains its colors better. A higher thread count in wool fabrics also means a softer texture, which may be easier on the skin.

Wool clothing can exacerbate itching that is already associated with certain skin conditions like eczema rashes, plaque psoriasis, or chicken pox. This coarseness in wool fabrics is usually attributed to the way the wool was manufactured and how the sheep the wool was drawn from was raised. Let’s look at the process involved.

When a sheep is raised with the goal of extracting its wool for commercial products like clothing, for example, special care is given to ensure the best quality wool is produced. The sheep is well nourished and well groomed, and the result is high-quality, beautiful, refined wool that is less likely to itch. On the other hand, some sheep are raised for the purpose of supplying meat commercially. Preserving their wool isn’t the main goal, so this wool tends to be coarser and unrefined. This is the wool that people tend to buy in stores, because it’s cheaper and we all want to save a buck when possible.

To alleviate some of the itching problems from wearing wool, there are a number of things you can do:

• Pay More, Get More. For higher quality and less itch, go with more expensive wools like merino or cashmere. Merino, drawn from prized sheep, is one of the softest wool fabrics available and the primary ingredient used in itch-free SmartWool products. Cashmere, drawn from the Cashmere goat, is also soft, lightweight and flexible.

• Hand Wash Clothing. Use detergents specifically made for washing wool garments to reduce itching and preserve the life of your fabrics.

• Note Thread Counts. Wool clothing with thread counts at least in the low hundreds ensures high quality, softness and less itching.

• Wear “Under” Wear. Wearing a cloth barrier between the skin and the wool fabric, such as a cotton tee or long johns, can greatly reduce itching and the friction between the wool and your skin.