#ALL LAUNDRY DETERGENT SKIN#

There is a lack of published research on the subject, but scientists at Stockholm University in Sweden tested 60 new garments and identified about 100 chemicals on the clothes that could be irritating to the skin manufacturers didn’t disclose these chemicals. Some of those chemicals may not be listed on manufacturers’ websites. “Many new clothing articles have finishing sprays and chemicals that can be highly irritating,” says Lio. Other things to look out for are dyes, which may be problematic for eczema-prone skin, Lio says, as well as the word 'hypoallergenic.' “There are now a number of products that are noted to be ‘hypoallergenic,’ but this is actually not a standardized term, and companies can use it without proving anything, so we have to be careful with that designation as it can be misleading,” says Lio. “It’s especially challenging for people to identify, because the detergent itself generally has no scent, so it is important to be aware of this distinction,” adds Cohen. Going by a sniff-test or seeing “unscented” won’t cut it. It is important to look for a product that is ‘fragrance free.’ Some products say ‘unscented,’ which is actually not the same as ‘fragrance free,’ as some ‘unscented’ products contain fragrances to mask the scent of the chemicals in the detergent.” “Even if they are organic or natural, fragrances can trigger eczema. “Generally, people with eczema should avoid anything that is fragranced, and this includes detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets ,” says Cohen. Follow these steps to make sure you’re washing your clothes in an eczema-friendly way.

#ALL LAUNDRY DETERGENT TRIAL#

A little trial and error may be necessary to learn what works best for your skin. Lio says.Įveryone’s skin is different, so an irritant for you may have no effect on someone else. So it is often worthwhile to get the low-hanging fruit, so to speak, and that includes laundry products,” Dr. “When we're trying to get irritated skin calmed down, every little bit can help. While laundry products may not be the biggest eczema triggers, they are potential contributors, says Peter Lio, MD, a dermatologist, a cofounder of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, and a board member for the National Eczema Association. This can lead to itching, burning, redness, and other symptoms, according to the National Eczema Association. “Some laundry products have chemicals that can be irritating to the skin, and any irritation to the skin can trigger eczema,” Dr. Cohen, MD, a dermatologist and an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “The wrong laundry product can be a real nightmare for someone with eczema,” says Jeffrey M. But if you’re managing eczema, you may want to put some extra thought into how you wash your clothes and what you use to do so. For many of us, doing laundry is automatic, and we treat it as a simple chore to check off our to-do list.

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