Yeah, it could be you are allergic to the cotton fibers that can float in the air. It could also be how it was stored. The nasal symptoms are the histamine reaction and if someone is allergic to cotton it is usually the pollen from the plant. Since the cotton boll comes from the 'flower' of the plant it may not have been processes as much as warm and natural and some of these pollens are still in the batting. If it was me I would just pitch all of it to avoid the irritation. Good luck!