Changing blades and a strange allergy

You are very probably allergic to one of the chemicals the manufacturer used to clean and/or finish the yarn! There are some really nasty chemicals used in the manufacturer of almost all textiles, which is why your mother was always right to wash brand new nighties and undies before she let you wear them -- and why you should always wash all new sheets and towels, too, before you use them. Fortunately, they are easily washed out with just one good washing, so you don't need to worry about the babies. I have a good friend who used to work in textile manufacturing, and she has some horror stories about textile products being used before washing.

Well. There we are. I'm thinking I'd better slip my stack of preemie caps in a lingerie bag and get them cleaned up before they leave here. Preemies lose important body heat through the tops of their dear little heads and they really need to be capped. I don't know what my left hand will function like if I coat it with an antibiotic and slip on a glove. It's going to look funny but the gators won't care. Polly

"Mary" You are very probably allergic to one of the chemicals the

Are you able to get cotton gloves in your swamp - pharmacy or some such? They are sold here in the First Aid section. They are light, stretchy and very soft. I'm thinking you could actually wear one when you crochet. They are also easily washed; and ours are wearable on either hand, so you could get twice the length of wear from each pair. I wear them whenever I use 'rubber' household gloves (as a first layer). . In message , Polly Esther writes

You may simply be allergic to the wool. This doesn't make it bad for babies, just for you. I react to all wools, including cashmere! And my own hair...

I was reading an article about the clothing industry and their use of Formaldehyde. Yes, the embalming fluid. Real nasty stuff. I wash everything that comes in contact with my body, before I put it on. It is one of the reason that I still sew clothes. I don't know if that is used on yarn, but you might contact the mfgr and ask. It could, of course, be another chemical. We seem to be surrounded by the stuff. You are right to be concerned about newborn exposure, especially those that might be challenged by not going to full term. John

I have a couple pair of these Pat. They are white knit and pretty thin. They were in the 'hand care' kind of section at the Walmart so that is pretty easily available. I have found they work well for MQ'ing. They give some grab but are thin enough I can still feel with them. Ginger pup likes to steal them so I have a couple pair. Mine were $2. Taria

I had the same allergy..I'm very allergic to wool so I stopped using it completely and the hands cleared up.. I like the idea of wearing gloves to finish what you're working on. Then get a different 'blend' and 'brand' of yarn. Read the labels.

HTH Butterfly

I think I'll try swishing the yarn in water and letting it dry first. Sounds like the easiest solution. This is going to look kinda nutty but I do have a reputation to maintain. Polly

I was reading an article about the clothing industry and their use of Formaldehyde. Yes, the embalming fluid. Real nasty stuff. I wash everything that comes in contact with my body, before I put it on. It is one of the reason that I still sew clothes. I don't know if that is used on yarn, but you might contact the mfgr and ask. It could, of course, be another chemical. We seem to be surrounded by the stuff. You are right to be concerned about newborn exposure, especially those that might be challenged by not going to full term. John

Kate, I was amazed that you said you react to your own hair. Could you describe what happens? I love everything about my long hair when it's freshly washed but the next day it starts bothering me- I can't really describe it but the third day I can't stand it on my forehead, neck or sides of my face. I have to pin it off my face and into a ponytail. Then I wash it and it feels nice again. (It's halfway to my waist and bleached blonde so I can't wash it more than every third day- it's too fragile to wash every day.) Is that anything like your reaction?

Leslie & The Furbabies > Think we can handle two subjects at once? We will try.

You may simply be allergic to the wool. This doesn't make it bad for babies, just for you. I react to all wools, including cashmere! And my own hair...

you aren't the only one. My hair is as short as I can get away with...a bit longer on top . It feels like you just want to 'pull it out' when it starts acting up. One of the Drs here said: " There is a major nerve that runs across the back of your head--and branches out over the head. It can get to the point of being aggravated just by the LENGTH of your hair so try it very short and see if it makes a diff." Within a week...the pain abated....when it gets over 2" long in back that nerve acts up again. I had tried a prescription shampoo first and all it did was cost money..that is when the hair went OFF and has stayed off. Sometimes Mr. Joe teases me that my hair is shorter than his. LOL

I've been considering a new 'do' but seriously wonder about all the women who are wearing loose sloppy strands that cause them to constantly jerk their heads to knock the hair out of their eyes. What is attractive about incessantly fighting hair hanging in your face? Even that pretty Katie who's to marry Prince William is battling that style. Maybe I should try dreadlocks. Polly