Laundry Detergent Allergy
Symptoms And The Cure

Do you suffer from a laundry detergent allergy, or think you might have suffered an allergic reaction to laundry detergent? Find out the symptoms of this allergy, and how to fix it here.

Laundry detergent is necessary to clean your clothes, bedding and other washable fabrics that you come into contact with everyday.

Unfortunately, because your skin comes into such close contact with any residue that the laundry detergent leaves behind, all through the day and night, these detergents can be one of the big causes of allergy problems for many people.

I was fortunate to be able to get an interview with Dr. Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist who has appeared on many television programs, such as the Today Show, Good Morning America and many more.

In that interview we discussed the symptoms of a laundry detergent allergy, and also what can be done to avoid the problem.

Please note that this interview was sponsored by Procter & Gamble, so Dr. Downie discusses mainly the Tide laundry detergent products, specifically the Free & Gentle versions, within the interview.

Whether you use these products, or another laundry product out there, however, she has some good information to share.

Further, after the video see below for more discussion from me about how to deal with and stop an allergic reaction to laundry detergent, for you or your family members.

Symptoms Of A Laundry Detergent Allergy

As Dr. Downie mentioned in her interview, some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to laundry detergent include a rash, such as breaking out into hives like the picture at the top shows. (You can see additional detergent allergy pictures here to help determine if you're allergic to laundry detergent.)

Additional symptoms can include sneezing or itchy water eyes, particularly if you are allergic to the scent in a particular detergent.

Finally, a laundry detergent allergy can have more subtle symptoms than those listed above, such as tightness in your skin, other rash, and itching, even after showering and applying moisturizer.

Generally these symptoms are exacerbated more in the cold winter months too, because of less moisture in your skin.

How To Avoid An Allergic Reaction To Laundry Detergent In The Future

You or your family members do not need to suffer from a laundry detergent allergy anymore, since there are many products on the market, such as hypoallergenic laundry detergents, which are designed to not cause these allergic reactions to laundry detergent.

Reduce The Laundry Detergent Residue Left In Your Clothing After Washing

The first thing you want to do is make sure you remove as much laundry detergent residue as you can from your clothing each time you wash it. First, use less detergent to begin with, since many of us use more detergent than we really need to anyway. Follow the directions on the label, and then experiment with using even less than recommended until your clothes no longer come out clean. Then, use the minimum amount that seems to work only, not more.

You can also reduce the detergent residue in your clothes by using an extra rinse cycle.

Finally, you can also add vinegar to the final rinse of your clothes since it helps remove excess laundry detergent residue. (Please note, however, that vinegar as a fabric softener also can weaken clothing fibers, so use with caution.)

Laundry Detergent Ingredients To Avoid - Mainly Dyes And Perfumes

Typically the ingredients in laundry detergent that cause most people to have an allergic reaction are the dyes and perfumes contained within them.

Therefore, the first step in stopping your laundry detergent allergy is to switch to a new detergent, most likely a hypoallergenic laundry detergent, often called the free and clear or free and gentle formula.

That means you will need to forego all scents. That includes scents not only for the laundry detergent itself, but also for other laundry products you use, such as fabric softener, dryer sheets, bleaches, or anything else.

You can also try homemade laundry detergent or natural laundry detergents. Be careful with these though, if they have added fragrances, even natural fragrances or essential oils, because these can still cause allergies.

Ultimately, what one person is allergic to is not necessarily exactly the same as what someone else is allergic to. When treating your laundry detergent allergy you will most likely need to do some experimentation, trying a couple of different detergents until you find the best laundry detergent for you, that does not cause an allergic reaction.

Wash Everyone's Clothing, Bedding And Towels With The Same Detergent

If one person in the household has an allergic reaction to laundry detergent then to stop the reaction it is really not enough to use a special detergent only on that person's clothing.

They will still come into contact with everyone else's clothing, bedding, etc. on a frequent basis and can still suffer from the laundry detergent allergy. To avoid this everyone in the whole house must switch.

Like I said in the video above, my son has allergy issues so everyone in my house must use the same no perfumes, no dyes detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, etc. It doesn't matter that I like scented laundry -- I like my son allergy free more.

Photo by Cyron

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