<p>I want to buy my daughter a tartan scarf for Christmas. She has eczema and I am trying to determine the best choice for her. She has a cashmere scarf that does not irritate her skin, but she has had a wool sweater that did cause problems. The scarf I am looking at is made in Scotland by Lochcarron and it says that it is 100% lambswool. Is lambswool softer then regular wool? Would it be less likely to irritate her skin, more like the softer cashmere? I have tried to find the plaid I am looking for in cashmere, but no luck so far. Thanks!</p>
<p>Lambswool, while softer than other wools (it is the first shearing of young sheep), is not as soft as cashmere, which comes from goats. Cashmere is the only wool I can wear against my skin without irritation. My guess is that a lambswool scarf may irritate her neck. You can also look for a cashmere/silk blend scarf - I have a few and they feel great against the skin. Burberry has a huge selection of cashmere plaid scarfs - although if you are looking for a particular tartan, you may have to use a UK retailer. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have wool itch. Even cashmere itches slightly (although I can wear it). Lambswool is horrible. I remember those plaid scarves from when I was a child (my grandfather was Scots)–I hated them. Itchy even over something else. And my mother kept insisting that it couldn’t be that bad. It was, and it is. </p>
<p>Allow me to suggest silk instead: [Silk</a> tartan scarf made in Scotland](<a href=“http://www.scotlandshop.com/p-20-silk-tartan-scarf.aspx]Silk”>http://www.scotlandshop.com/p-20-silk-tartan-scarf.aspx)</p>
<p>Have you considered silk? I have a 36-40" square heavy silk scarf that is quite warm that I can wrap around my neck in the winter & no wind gets through it. It’s also nice to drape over my shoulders when I’m at my desk if I’m cold. (I found mine on eBay - it’s a funky Nicole Miller vintage scarf that replaced a similar one I received as a gift in 1990 that was threadbare)</p>
<p>personally I dont have an issue with either but daughter has very sensitive skin and cant handle any of the wools. Would do either cashmere since you know she can tolerate or silk as suggested. 100% cotton is always safe for me and mine as well.</p>
<p>Of any of the wools, Merino is the smoothest and frequently isn’t considered itchy by even the most sensitive of skins.</p>
<p>My daughter has very sensitive skin and she’s fine with Merino and not with any other wools.</p>
<p>You could try Alpaca too, it’s like butter! I doubt you’ll be able to find it in a plaid though.</p>
<p>I would suggest cashmere, merino, or alpaca. Although I can find alpaca somewhat itchy at times.</p>
<p>Mix the cashmere or merino with a silk, and you will have a most wonderful feel!</p>
<p>Thank you for all the suggestions and dmd77, thanks for the link! They have the tartan I am looking for in silk, so I am going to order it. She already has a nice cashmere scarf and several cotton/acrylic ones, so a nice silk one will be perfect.</p>
<p>Lambswool bothers me, too. I can tolerate merino and cashmere, as well as alpaca.(I believe that alpaca is technically hair, not wool.) But generally, I’d go for silk for a person who is sensitive to wool.</p>