laundry detergent allergy
Laundry Detergent Allergy
Excessive exposure to washing powders may lead to dry skin, skin rashes and itching. This article will tell you the reasons behind laundry detergent allergy symptoms and how you can stay away from the harmful products.
- Some laundry detergent ingredients may cause skin rashes on hands. Mostly, the dyes and perfumes from the detergents trigger an allergic reaction. Inflamed and/or reddened skin is noticed in this type of allergy. These symptoms may appear several hours after the contact with the detergent.
- An allergy to washing powder may exhibit symptoms like dry, chapped skin after an initial exposure to a detergent or other cleaning products like fabric softeners, whiteners, bluing agents, stain removal agents, bleaching agents, etc.
- Repeated exposure to the allergen may cause itchy, red and scaly patches on the skin.
- Further exposure of the already irritated skin to the allergen may make the skin swollen, blistered and scaly. There may be burning or stinging sensation.
- In case of such an allergy, continuous exposure to the detergent that is triggering the skin reaction, may worsen the situation. The condition may become a chronic (long-lasting) condition. Chronic contact dermatitis may lead to thickened, dry and scaly skin and sometimes, pigment changes and areas of hair loss are also noticed.
- Wash your hands with water immediately after you come in contact with the detergent. You can apply soothing creams.
- As it is difficult to detect a detergent allergy, you should first of all discover the reason behind the skin allergy and you should find out the allergen detergent by observing your own habits yourself.
- Avoid the use of that particular skin-irritant and this only can prove to be the best treatment.
- If your skin is very sensitive, even the detergent residue from your clothing / bed sheets / towels (after you wash it), can trigger an allergic reaction. Use less detergent and make sure that clothes are washed using an extra rinse cycle.
- If you are fond of housekeeping, always use gloves to avoid contact with the detergents.
- Use of a fully automatic washing machine can reduce the contact with detergents and thus, can reduce the chances of skin reaction.
- Homemade laundry soaps can reduce the chances of an allergic reaction. You can yourself make a detergent avoiding the ingredients that usually cause skin irritation.
- In case of itchy rash, apply calamine lotion and cool compresses. You may also apply over-the-counter cortisone cream.
- Consult a dermatologist, for the treatment of irritated skin. He can prescribe some tablets to reduce the symptoms of skin allergy.