The inside scoop on how laundry detergent affects eczema

The inside scoop on how laundry detergent affects eczema

Effects on eczema

People suffering from eczema face all sorts of risks when it comes to experiencing a flare-up in their condition. Almost anything they come into contact with on a daily basis can trigger an increase in the severity of symptoms. From cleaning products to handling citrus fruits, there are a number of possible irritants. Many people with this condition may also not be aware that there is a clear connection between eczema and detergent. The chemicals and various ingredients involved in the production of these products can cause the condition to flare up without the sufferer being aware of the cause. The itching and inflammation associated with the condition can often be directly linked to a person's cleaning routine. However, there are some steps one can take to minimize these types of risks.

Are there any dangers?

Both detergent and fabric softener can cause discomfort. While a person may not experience a reaction the first time they use a particular product, these chemicals and cleaning products can build up in clothing over time. As the chemicals build up, they are slowly released, causing a person's condition to steadily worsen. The oxidizing agents found in most cleaning products help them remove stains. However, these chemicals also dry out and damage skin cells. When they change the pH level in the skin, they inevitably lead to irritation and skin inflammation. Fabric softeners can be particularly irritating because they are designed to coat fabrics with certain chemicals that make them feel softer with each wash.

Precautions and solutions

Products that are scented have also been linked to increased skin irritation in people suffering from eczema. The best detergent for eczema avoids such unnecessary ingredients. You can also reduce the harmful effects of detergents by using minimal amounts of soap and skipping fabric softeners altogether. While it's important not to wash your clothes too often if you have eczema, you should always wash new clothes before wearing them. The fabrics contain dyes and other chemicals that can slowly leach onto the skin. It's also important to pay attention to the size of the loads you wash regularly. When you overload machines, detergent cannot dissolve properly, allowing larger amounts of chemicals to build up on fabrics.

Handling cleaning products

A significant number of people also hand wash their clothes and apply starch after the clothes are cleaned. While starch does not contain an inherent chemical that directly affects eczema, starch does cause the fabric to stiffen. Stiff fabrics cause greater friction, which can irritate and dry out the skin. When washing clothes by hand, you need to ensure that the detergent has enough time to completely dissolve in the water before agitating the fabric. You should rinse the fabrics very well after washing and use gloves to reduce contact between detergent and skin. Dissolving the soap completely before starting other cycles in the machine is crucial to protecting the skin from the effects of eczema. People suffering from this condition would do well to complete the rinse cycle or run the rinse cycle twice to ensure complete dilution of the cleaning products.

Inspired by Steve Medeiros