allergy of unprocessed cotton?

[ernalala]

Anyone experience with this?
I suspect my pre-schooler is allergic to some degree to unprocessed cotton which he's been exposed to at my ILs (pillow and possible mattress fillings) and he got a moderate 'reaction' (lots of mucus production, itchy nose, smelly breath...) the second time we stayed over. A pillow at home stuffed with cotton (I found out later) I tossed away (I found out after he vomited on it during a sick nighttime episode so on seeing the cotton I decided not even to wash it).
The matresses may also have been filled with unprocessed sheep wool. But I do more suspect the cotton. Just trying to find out.

[kjbrown92]

How old is the bedding? Is it possible it's a dust mite allergy? That would also be mucous, itchy nose, etc. I didn't think anyone reacted to cotton, and that's why it was recommended for newborns.

[ernalala]

I don't think it's dust mite. Then he would definitely have been exposed in our home too and show symptoms all the time.
The filling, as far as I know, is taken out and washed and air dried at least once or twice a year (rural Turkish custom to sleep on such matresses/pillows on the floor, many people continue using such pillows etc. in urbanised areas).

[ernalala]

Well, it is not because something is a(n unprocessed), natural ingredient that you can't have sensitivities to or be allergic for it.

On cotton I found the following (see below).

The cotton used in these pillows is really directly taken from the plants on the field and evidently contains parts and particles of the leaves of the plant.

I strongly suspect that inhalation of particles of these pillows affects my sons airways after a few nights of sleep on them. No contact/skin allergy.

It may not be common at all but I guess it wouldn't harm to check if anyone else here experiences the same.

We use synthetic at home and have no problem with (my sons) airways.



--------------------

Definition

Byssinosis is a chronic, asthma-like narrowing of the airways. Also called brown lung disease, byssinosis results from inhaling particles of cotton, flax, hemp, or jute.

Description

Although inhaling cotton dust was identified as a source of respiratory disease more than 300 years ago, byssinosis has been recognized as an occupational hazard for textile workers for less than 50 years. More than 800,000 workers in the cotton, flax, and rope-making industries are exposed in the workplace to airborne particles that can cause byssinosis. Only workers in mills that manufacture yarn, thread, or fabric have a significant risk of dying of this disease.

In the United States, byssinosis is almost completely limited to workers who handle unprocessed cotton. More than 35,000 textile workers have been disabled by byssinosis and 183 died between 1979 and 1992. Most of t

[kjbrown92]

Interesting. At your in-law's house is it possible to use the same kind of allergy cover that one uses for a dust allergy, and encase the mattress and pillow?

[ernalala]

I could try to do that next time. Aşlthpough I do not know if it would make much difference. The bedding is not permanent, so taken out of a cupboard at night and put away again in the morning. Our matresses spread on the floor have a width of about 3m. So if there is dust, dust mite, particles whatever it will definitely get into the air. This time I brought his own pillow plus a water-resistant mattress cover plus a synthetic sleeping bag for his bedding but I guess since the sleeping arrangement is that we all sleep on the same thing in one room, it did not make any change.

Well, it is not a very severe allergy only he IS bothered and itchy (and picking his nose all the time) so it would be nice to find a way to go around it. If not, its not too bad either but of course it shouldn't be permanent that would not be good for him. He also can tell me now that the itching and all has stopped again (we're home since 10 days after a 10 day stay at my ILs).

Thanks for your input/interest.