K-Roll

Asking if certain materials were used is absolutely A-OK.
Also, if someone says they have an allergy, believe them. During the holidays an employee complained about the many poinsettias decorating our offices, allegedly due to his allergic reaction to that plant. My god, the way people scoffed. "They don't have a smell..." "Now I've heard everything...", etc., even from management! Except one manager, me. Never heard of such an allergy yet thought to research it to quell rising office conflict. Voila! Poinsettias are known allergens. Case closed. Poinsettias removed. There's more than one reason silk flowers were invented.

bearisgray

It does surprise me what at what can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.

As K-Roll said - believe the person -

(Although I really don't think my third-born is really allergic to squash - I think he just actively dislikes it! LOL)

fruitloop

People with allergies are miserable when the allergy flares up. I'm not allergic or have allergies but that doesn't mean an allergy won't develop at any time. And If I had an allergy I would be speaking up and asking questions and wouldn't care if someone was offended, it's my health.

orangeroom

I would not be offended. Just like people who have food allergies, and don't consume those foods, I would expect someone who had other (uncommon) allergies, not to have to be exposed to them on a daily basis.

Kythcat

Thank you all. This has made me feel better. Was at a friend's house, and my arm brushed up on a blanket on their couch. Had hives spring up almost immediately. Politely asked if the blanket was wool, and stated I was allergic. Was chewed up one side and down the other just for asking. From the reaction, I'm guessing it was a family heirloom. Had I known about what the blanket was made out of, I would have sat somewhere else. Needless to say, I don't go over there anymore. But the incident has left a bad taste in my mouth.