Hypoallergenic: Commonsense Approaches.
Hypoallergenic- adjective. Definition: non-allergy producing. A term applied to a preparation in which every possible care has been taken in formulation and production to ensure minimum instance of allergic reactions.
(Blakiston's Medical Dictionary)
Like its definition, the term hypoallergenic is commonly used in reference when there is a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction. Although subtle, the term non-allergenic is different in that it's defined as having no tendency to provoke an allergic reaction. It's not possible to say that any product is truly non-allergenic - somebody somewhere will have a reaction. As an informed person, take care to notice the difference when reading the benefits of various products.
The word hypoallergenic has been used prominently in sales pitches for everything from hand cream to jewelry to watch straps, and seemed to appear out of nowhere as far back as the 1950's as part of various cosmetics' campaigns. When consumers are quizzed about the meaning, they have a pretty good idea of what it's supposed to be; the product shouldn't irritate their skin or their allergies.
Recently hotels have jumped on the hypoallergenic bandwagon, providing rooms that go that extra step towards cleanliness, and therefore hopefully being more hypoallergenic. In fact, while it is a boon for people with allergies, the concept isn't aimed just at the allergic, but also at guests who may worry about who was there before them. These hotels offer everything from encasements for the mattress and pillows to special air filters and a commitment to natural fabrics and special natural cleaners.
Despite all the reassurances and claims that companies give us about their products in terms of allergy reactivity, nothing is 100% guaranteed to be non-reactive. There are companies like Allergy Buyers Club which carry a wide variety of products designed to help minimize pollutants and allergens in the home, and do extensive testing on all their products. During their research they found that bedding can be highly problematic because the fabric of the sheets and pillowcases are next to your skin all night. This finding coincides with one of the reasons Jeremy and Nolana Whisnant founded The White Pebble - The skin is the largest and most absorbent organ in the human body, and care should be exercised when deciding what to put up against it. This is particularly true for young children and infants. Studies have shown that the pesticides and herbicides used to produce cotton, for example,
contain carcinogens and allergy-causing agents. That's why The White Pebble only sources from companies that work with organic fabrics - healthier living starts with what's next to your skin.
Companies like The White Pebble, whose products are made not only with organic fabrics, but also with soy or vegetable dyes which makes for cloth that not only feels good, but also has no harmful chemicals, are motivated by providing "organic" and "green" products for healthy daily living, as well as creating a healthy and positive impact on our environment by sourcing from non-polluting and sustainable growers and manufacturers. This means The White Pebble's clothes are hypoallergenic. And yet, due to the ambiguity of the term hypoallergenic The White Pebble is careful how they use this potentially important factor in its promotions. Hypoallergenic is thought of more as a side benefit of the holistic, naturally fabricated manufacturing process rather than an item in and of itself.
Let's face it; the typical American closet contains many items of inexpensive clothing, which are discarded frequently to change out an entire wardrobe. Manufacturers have given us exactly what we demanded, which entails using inexpensive traditionally grown plants, or synthetic materials in order to keep prices down. It's time to rethink your wardrobe, rethink your impact on the planet and rethink what you put on your body.
