Ripstop rash

[Pipsissewa]

...I'm sure washing will solve my problem. I wasn't sure whether the hammock should be washed. After this I think maybe I'll wash any hammock I buy or make.

I hope you're right! Many people are allergic to nylon though... Good luck!!!

[DivaB]

Maybe a caterpillar left hairs on the fabric. Wash it well. I like gargoyle's suggestions, but read the warnings about combining benadryl with anti-itch creams. Do one or the other - not both.

I had no idea about anti-itch creams and benadryl! I'll have to look into that one.

+1 -- Wash your hammock. If you didn't wash the fabric beforehand, you may be experiencing a reaction to any one of the finishers (formaldehyde), fungicides or pesticides routinely applied to fabrics by manufacturers. These chemicals are applied to protect the fabric during shipping and storage and to give the fabric a nice appearance in the store.

Good luck and DON'T SCRATCH!!!

I concur with this. I always wash my material first, on everything I purchase before putting it next to my skin. I'm allergic to darn near everything, but have yet to have a reaction to my hammock. I'm even allergic to down, but because of the ripstop on the UQ and the material of my hammock being barriers, I actually have no problems with it.

[Ramblinrev]

Fabric, especially in bulk, are treated with formaldehyde and a sizing to preserve the fibers and make them look nice and crisp in the store. It makes no difference what the fabric is, it is treated. Sometimes it has been so strong I can smell it. Washing a hammock, particularly with out a net is simplicity itself. That may take care of a mutltitude of problems, some of which you may not have identified yet.

[HURTHEART]

Wash it well. I like gargoyle's suggestions, but read the warnings about combining benadryl with anti-itch creams. Do one or the other - not both.

WV is right wash and RINSE, Very Well. I did not even think about Poison Oak or Ivy, shame on me. I was thinking of some sort of pollen or residue.

I use Benadryl spray, however the warnings on the container, warns against using the oral Benadryl and the spray or gel. If you do use both product you risk having too much product in your system which is dangerous.

Just for what it is worth I write down when I take any type of medication, even a lowly aspirin. I write down the time and the dosage taken.

A note about itching, creams, ointments and other topical treatments. Be careful you do not spread your itchiness all over your body. With Poison Oak/Ivy, you get the oil on your hand, touch another body part and you can infect that part. My cousin was out water skiing, someone was burning brush, lots of smoke, my cousin is very allergic to Poison Oak, he rubbed his eyes, the smoke had carried the Poison Oak oil which settled on my cousins hands and skin, he rubbed his eyes because they itched, he ended up in the hospital, his eyes were infected most of his skin, really a sick kid.

[HURTHEART]

I always carry Benadryl both the spray (it works really fast) and the pills in a blister pack. I travel with a large dog who gets hot-spots when she eats the wrong thing or gets into some types of pollen. I just spritz the inside of her ears, the itching stops very quickly, much easier than the pills and it is direct to the itchy spot, instead of the body digesting the active ingredients, they go to work immediately.

[Mic]

I guess I'm allergic to my hammock. I washed it and rinsed twice and I still get a small rash of hives when skin touches fabric. I've been sleeping in my hammock every night save 2 or 3 since I bought it. My main reason for getting into hammocks is I enjoy sleeping outside and have the perfect place for it. I wear sweatpants,socks and use a light sheet under any part that touches fabric. I will just have to live with it and maybe someday I'll build a tolerance.

[spaceweaseal]

It is possible that your skin is sensitive to nylon. I can't wear shirts that have polyester or nylon for more than a couple of hrs at a time because my skin will start itching and burning.

[grannypat]

Try a table cloth hammock and see if it's any different.