Detergent Allergy – Symptoms and Treatment

Detergents for laundry are essential in every home to clean the towels, bedding, clothes, and various other fabrics that any person comes in contact with daily. Detergent allergy is a type of skin allergy that occurs due to contact with the allergen in the detergent used for laundry. If not rinsed well to remove even the last traces of detergent, clothes washed in these detergents can cause an allergy. A detergent allergy happens suddenly after some period of severe exposure to detergents and soaps. Detergent allergy symptoms arise due to direct contact with the laundry detergents or the traces of soap residues.

Also known as irritant contact dermatitis, this allergy may cause severe skin reactions. Detergent allergy is usually associated with those who have prolonged contact with detergents. Sometimes, the reaction may occur immediately after contact. However, in some cases, the reaction may happen sometime after the initial contact.

A detergent allergy is usually caused by the chemicals contained in the detergents. These chemicals may adversely affect the skin and may prove harsh. These skin irritants may also be present in other cleaning products like everyday household cleaners and soaps. Your skin may become itchy and blotchy immediately after using a chemical detergent or other cleaning products.

Detergent Allergy – Symptoms, Treatment, and Ways to Avoid It

Detergent Allergy Symptoms

Mostly the symptoms of detergent allergy are mild, but sometimes it might become severe. Detergents and other cleaning agents contain dozens of ingredients, and a few of them can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Some chemicals like fragrances, added substances to make the liquid thick and lubricated, antibacterial, and preservatives in soaps and detergents can cause allergies. Other allergenic ingredients include petroleum distillates, ammonia, synthetic surfactants, and polymers.

Skin is often the first place where detergent allergy shows up. These symptoms appear 24 to 48 hours later but can often appear as late as after a week of exposure to detergents. The following are a few important detergent allergy symptoms.

• Scaly patches
• Redness in skin
• Hives
• Oozing blisters
• Itching or burning which can be intense
• Sensitivity to the Sun
• Cracked, darkened and leathery skin

Other symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Watering of eyes
• Skin tightening
• Nasal discharge
• Some people complain of a few symptoms of asthma like wheezing and gasping for breath
• Anaphylactic shock require immediate medical attention

The body may react harshly to the chemicals contained in the detergents. However, luckily, the symptoms are usually mild and affect the skin. Unlike many food allergies, there haven’t been any life-threatening symptoms of detergent allergy.

Sometimes, a dermatologist may help you treat the condition permanently so that you do not get allergic to detergents in the future.

Treatment for Detergent Allergy

It is quite difficult to refer to when the patient is exposed to detergents as they remain in the residue form in the clothes and are stored in the closets for longer. Below are a few ways to cure detergent allergy.

• Rashes or inflammation can be reduced by application of ointments containing corticosteroid
• Irritation and rashes can be reduced naturally by application of cold packs and ice compresses as it is seen that sometimes, using antibiotics can aggravate irritation and itching in the skin
• Sprays and nasal drops can help control the allergic symptoms
• Perfume-free detergents and fabric softeners should be used because the colors and scents used in these cleaning agents can lead to allergies
• Natural cleaning products can minimize the chances of allergies
• If, after using these natural methods for two weeks, the symptoms of allergy persist, then you must consult a doctor
• Doctor’s advice should be taken if serious symptoms appear. A suffering person will need to appear for some blood test to ascertain the cause of the allergy. If it is not identified easily, then a skin patch test is done

Antihistamines and topical applications containing corticosteroids are usually used to alleviate the symptoms of this allergy. Apart from that, prevention of contact with detergents is recommended. Switching to a fragrance-free laundry detergent can also help avoid allergic reactions to detergents. After washing, rinse your clothes twice so that all traces of detergents are removed from the clothes.

Ways to Avoid Detergent Allergy

Allergy to laundry detergent can be controlled or avoided in the following ways:

• Start using non-allergenic detergents, which are some special detergents designed for people having sensitivity toward detergents
• Allergy can be minimized by using less quantity of detergents
• Rinsing of clothes in plain water should be done several times to get rid of leftover detergents in the clothes
• Washing soda or vinegar can be used in the last rinse to get clothes free from any residue of detergents after washing
• Detergents should be free from any perfume or scents. These are not only found in detergents but also in fabric softener liquid, bleach, and dryer sheets. Even essential oils and natural fragrances can cause allergies. These can cause allergic reactions, so scented cleaning agents and other liquids should be avoided
• If at least a single member of the family is allergic to detergents, other members should also use allergen-free detergents as exposure to normal detergents can cause that member to get allergic symptoms again. Hence, it should be completely avoided in the family

If proper precautions are taken, allergic symptoms on the skin will disappear in two to three weeks. The use of corticosteroids for a more extended time should be avoided as it can lead to skin discoloration and increase irritation. Those who cannot withstand the harsh chemicals make it evident that they develop skin allergies and rashes. So, it is better to wear gloves while working with cleaning agents.

Detergent Allergy FAQs

What does an allergy to laundry detergent look like?

If you are allergic to laundry detergent, it can cause significant skin irritation and a swollen tongue. This occurs because laundry detergents contain enzymes that break down skin proteins. As a result, people with this allergy experience an intense itching sensation followed by redness and swelling of the lips, nose, or eyes. Tt might sometimes lead to anaphylaxis when the body reacts adversely to allergens. Therefore, avoiding products containing enzyme washes in general and specific brands is essential if you think you might have this allergy. If possible, you may also want to try using a low pH wash instead of a regular one. And finally, wear gloves while washing your clothes, so any inflammation does not spread more quickly.

What is the best laundry detergent to use if you have allergies?

Allergy sufferers should choose a detergent free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. Many options are there in the market, but some of the best include Seventh Generation’s Unscented Laundry Detergent or Arm & Hammer Free and Clear laundry detergent. Both products are phosphate-free and have been tested under California Proposition 65 regulations. They also contain plant-based enzymes that break down proteins, so they don’t build up in your washer sediment over time.

Can my laundry detergent cause itching?

There is no easy answer regarding detergent and itching, as everyone’s skin is different. Some people may find that certain laundry detergents cause them to itch more than others, but the root of the problem usually remains the same – an overloaded or unclean washing machine. Overloading your machine with clothes can result in friction between fabrics and increased levels of bacteria. This mixture then causes inflammation and irritation on your skin. If you find that all of your clothing begins to itch immediately after being washed, it may be a good idea to try using less soap (or substituting bar soap for liquid) and checking for any tears or leaks in your washer/dryer combo.