down allergy

[Red Wing]

+19 on the sample route.

+13 on the hang route.

[DavyRay]

Maybe ask for a small sample from the vendor you are thinking about ordering from and see if you have any reactions. Unless you are severly allergic and could go into shock.

I can see that in my mind's eye. It could be pretty funny. Open the package. Sneeze once. Get out the vacuum.

Seriously, that is a great idea. I see the OP likes it.

[SteveJJ]

Maybe ask for a small sample from the vendor you are thinking about ordering from and see if you have any reactions. Unless you are severely allergic and could go into shock.

I second this, with one addition. It might not be a bad idea to get some Benadryl (OTC) in case you do react to the sample. While the likelihood of such a severe reaction is small, it is just too simple to be prepared. If you do react take a benadryl right away and call your doc, or head to er/urgent care if the reaction continues to get worse and you have any difficulty taking a full deep breath.

If you do have difficulties breathing, bite into another benedryl and let it dissolve under your tongue and have someone drive you to ER right away. The taste alone might cure you it is so bad, but could keep you kicking until the next hang at least.

I'm not a doctor but have suffered anaphylactic shock and hives many times and know the drill all too well. I have grown out of all my allergies, thankfully.

Let's hope a quality down gives you nothing but warmth and sweet dreams!

Steve J

[Beast 71]

My sister once brought my dads old surplus WWII down mummy bag up to the BWCA. It was so old that the down was pulverized and the bag acted like a huge powder puff. Even though she had severe allergy attacks, it was too cold for her not to use it.

[bluegum mic]

It also depends on your allergy. A lot of people would be (as described in previous posts) allergic to the mites, dust side of things etc. I am one of the 'lucky' (not!) minority that has a poultry allergy ie chicken, duck, goose, to eat them, their feathers, their eggs. I certainly don't use down doonas and pillows at home for this reason but for hiking purposes I still use a down jacket and quilt for shorter trips where I can tolerate the sniffles and itchy eyes for the toasty goodness of down. I agree with the others and grab a sample :-)

[Dannytoo]

I can see that in my mind's eye. It could be pretty funny. Open the package. Sneeze once. Get out the vacuum.

Seriously, that is a great idea. I see the OP likes it.

[Dannytoo]

Thanks to everyone who replied and the advice I have read every post.

[WalksInDark]

I too have lots of allergies. However, with high quality down sleeping bag products, I have gotten no reactions...even when I have closed the hood area down to where I could probably put a straw through it, and then slept for 12 hours while so covered.

I think that that the key is making sure that the down has been properly treated and cared for.

P.S. To make sure that I don't someone compromise the allergy-free qualities of my down bags, I use a commercial sleeping bag cleaning company to wash them every couple of years.

[av club]

I have the same allergy. Every time we go out of town I have to make sure the hotel doesn't use down. I am going to keep an eye and see if I can snag a used down bag and give it a try. I hate that I can't use down.