Skin irritation can appear in many ways. The most common symptom is itchy skin, which, thankfully, can often be sorted out with some self-care and some lifestyle changes.
Symptoms can include:
- A rash
- Dry skin
- Bumps or spots
- Redness
- Flaky skin
Irritated skin can be a real pain, especially when you struggle to get rid of it. To begin with, we recommend asking the question, "can laundry detergent cause itchy skin?" Luckily for you, we have some answers!
What can cause itchy skin?
You guessed it: laundry detergent can be the root of your itchy skin. But here are a few other options to rule out based on your symptoms:
- Dry skin - change in the environment or weather, or an allergic reaction to your soap
- Skin conditions such as eczema
- Pregnancy
If you've tried swapping out your usual soap or body wash and ruled out anything situational which might have an impact on your skin, it’s time to look at your laundry detergent.
How to prevent laundry detergent from irritating your skin
Use a mild laundry detergent
When you have sensitive skin, it's important to use a gentle laundry detergent. You can get detergent which is especially for sensitive skin, but you might try using one without synthetic fragrances or colourings. These can trigger reactions, such as rashes, dry and itchy skin. Conventional detergents can also be made with harsh chemicals that have also been linked to causing skin irritation.
At KINN, we've produced laundry products which are free-from colourants, synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. This means it can be a good option for sensitive skin.
Rinse your clothes an extra time
Sometimes irritation can occur from a continual exposure to detergent. Leaving your clothes in the washing machine for an extra rinse will help reduce the amount of soap residue on your clothing.
Stick with one detergent
By chopping and changing your detergent too quickly, it's hard to determine what is exactly causing irritation. By sticking to one, it's easier to detect when reactions occur and what kind of reaction.
Remember: detergent might not be the only cause of irritated skin. Anything that comes into contact with your skin which is made with harsh chemicals could be a culprit. Consider what lotions, soaps and other products you use which might be to blame and methodically remove them from your routine one by one and see if it helps!