Eczema is a skin condition characterized by itchy, swollen, and red patches that appear in response to a number of triggers.
In addition to practicing good skin care, you need to monitor these triggers to discover which ones cause reactions. Believe it or not, anything from airborne pollutants to chemicals in your laundry detergent can make your skin furious.
While you may not be able to control the triggers you find in public, you can make changes to the products you use around your home to reduce flare-ups.
Eczema and laundry detergent: an itchy problem
Although many studies show that reactions to laundry detergents are rare at normal levels of exposure, the chemicals tend to build up on fabric over time.
This creates a cycle of repeated exposure that can cause irritation, especially in babies and children whose skin is more sensitive.
The cocktail of chemicals and enzymes found in most commercial detergents is helpful in removing dirt and stains from clothing, but it is by no means the only way to keep your family’s wardrobe clean.
Scented laundry detergents can be especially troublesome for eczema sufferers, so it’s best to look for alternatives that use more natural ingredients.
Choose a detergent
When selecting a laundry detergent for eczema, look for these items to reduce chemical exposure and related irritation:
- Ingredients of vegetable or vegetable origin
- No enzymes
- Unscented instead of unscented
- Hypoallergenic
- Neutral PH
- Dye free
- Kid safe and baby safe
An added bonus of buying these products is that many are biodegradable and not tested on animals, making them good for the environment and your skin.
The correct way to wash clothes
Regardless of the detergent you use, it is important that you follow the proper washing instructions to ensure that your clothes not only come out clean, but are also free of any kind of residue that could cause an eczema flare-up.
Read the bottle of your chosen natural detergent and follow the directions on how much to use in different sized loads. Check your washing machine to make sure you are not overloading it and selecting the correct cycle for the amount of clothes you are washing. This ensures that all clothing is clean without retaining excess soap. For added safety against irritation, run an additional rinse cycle at the end of cleaning.
It is important to put all clothing, including new clothing, although this type of careful wash cycle before wearing. New clothing often has chemical residue on the fabric and can carry other environmental pollutants through packaging, shipping, and simply by sitting on store shelves.
After switching to a new detergent, it may take several wash cycles to remove all the old soap that has accumulated on the fabric. If you find that your skin is still irritated even though you are using a natural product, wash your clothes again, making sure to rinse them well.
Reduce irritation
Changing your laundry detergents will only help your eczema if you choose clothes made from soft fibers that won’t scratch, rub, or scrape your skin. Whenever possible, try to use 100 percent cotton and avoid synthetics and itchy fibers, such as wool or hemp. Look for brands without labels and check the seams for rough edges before purchasing.
Choosing these types of clothing and switching to natural, plant-based laundry detergents can help you and your family alleviate eczema and related irritation. Focus on mild products made with ingredients that are not created in laboratories to find the safest products, and be on the lookout for any other chemicals in your home that can trigger skin reactions.