Laundry is a tedious, but essential task in life. The reward is an empty hamper, and the fresh scent of clean clothes. Doing laundry can cause irritation and even pain for those with sensitive skin. Many detergents are high in harsh chemicals, which can cause a reddened bumpy rash. Contact dermatitis is also known as skin inflammation. It can make your skin itchy and itchy before you even realize it.
This is what you can do:
Research shows that contact dermatitis caused by laundry detergent is very rare. However, detergents containing harsh chemicals can cause skin irritation. To learn more about how detergents can contribute to skin rash, we spoke with Todd Minars MD, a board-certified dermatologist who also owns Minars Dermatology. Understanding Contact Dermatitis
Dr. Minars says that there are two types of contactdermatitis: irritant and allergic. However, irritant contactdermatitis does not affect a specific person. Most people will be affected by chemicals that are considered “irritants” if they are exposed to them for enough time. The threshold is what makes the difference. The threshold is the difference between sensitive and non-sensitive skin. Allergy contact dermatitis is only seen in those who have an immune response to the allergen. This usually results in an itchy, reddish rash. An allergic person can still be exposed to the allergen, even if they are not allergic. What Laundry Detergent could trigger a skin rash
Talks about laundry detergents with harsh chemicals can lead to irritant contact dermatitis. Dr. Minars claims that the majority of detergent reactions he sees is allergic. Very little detergent remains after washing and rinsing clothes. He says that this is why only the most sensitive skin gets irritated. However, you can trigger an immune response if there is enough detergent residue. One caveat: Hand washing clothes with detergent can cause an allergic reaction (even if they aren’t). Cory Gaskins (BSc, MD), CCFP, director for cosmetic medicine and dermatology at Skin CV lists three laundry detergent ingredients which could lead to contact dermatitis.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: The Root Cause
Dr. Minars says that it can be difficult to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis caused by laundry detergent. Itchy, red skin is the most common response. A new detergent can be a clue. A widespread rash is one sign of a detergent allergy. It mirrors the contact points between your clothing and your skin. There are also “friction points”, where your clothes touch your skin and rub against it. If you wear long sleeves, your wrists and back; your shoulders if your backpack is on your back. Your skin can rub against your clothes in the underarms, but not the “vault”, of your underarms. Dr. Minars says that if you see a red, itchy rash on the periphery underarms (but not the vault), then allergic contact dermatitis with laundry detergent is what you think. Patch testing is the best way to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis. However, patch testing is not without its challenges. It can be difficult to find a doctor that performs patch testing. For a complete list of patch testers in your area, visit the American Contact Dermatitis Society website. The second is that the test requires multiple visits to the doctor. This means you will need to wear itchy patches on the back for several days, and make sure they don’t fall off. Dr. Minars often advises patients to switch detergents to All Free Clear or Tide Free prior to patch testing to determine if this solves the problem. It can take up to several weeks for laundry detergents to change. It can take several washing cycles before the allergen is completely removed from clothes and machines. There are other ways to prevent detergent from destroying skin and clothes
Zack Kutchma is the associate brand manager for Swash Laundry Detergent. He says that when choosing a detergent, you need to consider factors such as average load size, different types of stains and hard water. Kutchma recommends that sensitive skin be treated with a phosphate-free detergent such as Swash (Buy on Amazon, $17.99). This detergent is also formulated to combat stains without harsh chemicals. These laundry care tips are his recommendations:
Last Word
Your skin should not be sacrificed for clean clothes. Avoid contact dermatitis by choosing a detergent that isn’t harmful, washing small to medium loads and not using too much cleaning products in each cycle. Woman’s World strives to highlight only the finest products and services. While we try to update as often as possible, deals can expire and prices may change. We may be compensated if you purchase something through one of our links.
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