I bought a pair of hypoallergenic pillows a couple of weeks ago and immediately started having a reaction to them. I washed them and no change.
I looked at what they’re made from and I think it might be the Lyocell Tencel in the cover - made from eucalyptus trees.
Everything else about them is the same - afaik - as my other pillows.
Anyone else experience this or know anything about it?
I’m allergic to eucalyptus and they are allowed to call that hypoallergenic because of how rare it is.
I find that odd actually; eucalyptus contains an oil that quite a few people are allergic to. I’d never heard it was a rare allergy, in fact, elements of its oils are often associated with allergies:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273331261_Eucalyptus_oil_Contact_allergy_and_safety
I wonder if it has to do with the Tencel being made from the wood, not the leaves - that there’d be less oil in the wood versus the leaves?
Could be… also, the real allergen tends to show up in the essential oil, which is highly concentrated.
Yeah, essential oils are pretty potent. As are the delusions some folks have about them.
The leaves probably have the highest concentration but there’s oil throughout the whole tree.
In reading on how the Tencel is made, it doesn’t appear that they do anything special to remove oils, just making sure the fibers are flexible and “dry.”
Hypo means less, not none
Are you sure you didn’t accidentally pick up HYPER-allergenic pillows?
I double-checked, it says “hypo” though it’s definitely “hyper” for me.
I ran them through the wash before using them and it was pretty much instantaneous.
Suffered through that night, in case it was something else. Next day, my allergies calmed down and when I laid down, it started again.
It’s upsetting bc they’re super squishy and comfortable.
Could it be you’re allergic to your laundry detergent or something introduced when washing it?
Well, there goes my peanut-shellfish-penicillin blanket…
Hypoallergenic means less-allergenic not zero. In principle nothing is zero allergenic, not even water.
Are you allergic to latex?
Yes I am.
It’s possible that latex is used in the hypoallergenic pillow. These hypoallergenic pillows are designed to prevent dust mites from invading. Latex is sometimes used to seal the pillows and keep them out. Might want to look into it.
Thanks. I hadn’t thought of that.
