Diseases of cleanliness: an allergy to detergents
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Allergy to detergents is a problem that everyone who likes cleanliness and order in the house faces. Detergents - this is something without which there is not a single cleaning, they are simply irreplaceable in everyday life. But with detergents there can be many problems: allergic reactions, skin dermatitis and much more.
In everyday life it is impossible to do without detergents, they cleanse, launder, remove stains, do everything to make the house clean and cozy. Dust, leftover food, piles of garbage and so on - this is a hotbed of infections and a cluster of bacteria. If you do not use the detergent at the time and do not clean it, then some bacteria will not end, and insect parasites such as cockroaches and many others can start. But, as a rule, it does not reach this point.
To maintain the cleanliness and comfort in the house you need a lot of detergents, to restore order and get rid of dirt, dust, debris. To clean clothes use powders, softeners, opalaskivateli, for cleaning the house - cleaning and cleaning products, as well as washing agents for dishes, floors, windows and so on. Despite the fact that detergents provide cleanliness and order, they can cause a lot of trouble. It's allergies to detergents.
[Dangerous cleanliness: what kind of detergent to choose, so as not to suffer from allergies?
Many cleansers are sure that if detergent is advertised on TV, then it is effective and certainly safe for humans, but this is not always the case. When buying a detergent, pay attention to its composition, choose a product that does not contain many chemical components and does not differ with acrid flavor.
Recently, physicians, are increasingly recording cases of allergies to detergents. Allergy occurs because of the skin reaction to the stimulus, that is, components from the detergent composition. Most powders, detergents, gels and so on contain flavors, which also cause an allergic reaction.
Let's take a closer look at the causes of the allergy to detergents and find ways to solve this problem.
Causes of allergy to detergents
The reasons for the allergy to detergents are numerous. This may be an intolerance to certain components that, if ingested, cause a violent allergic reaction or inflammation. Allergy to detergents can occur both throughout the body and in individual areas, usually on those parts of the body that have come into contact with the detergent.
Allergy can be on the fingers of the hand, manifested due to prolonged contact with household chemicals. Detergents contain active chemicals that instantly damage the skin of the hands. There is severe itching and burning, the skin of the hands becomes covered with a rash or small sores. Sometimes a simple rash becomes a wound that does not heal for a long time and even begins to fester. To avoid such symptoms, use detergents for cleaning the house or washing dishes, it is necessary in rubber gloves that protect the skin.
Allocate the following causes of allergy to detergents:
- Individual intolerance of chemical elements of detergent.
- Active irritants, such as: phosphates, softening solutions, various bleaches and flavors.
- Prolonged skin contact with detergent.
- Weakened immune system, which can not create a protective barrier against harmful chemicals.
Not all people using detergents think that this can lead to an allergic reaction and do not use basic methods of protection. If it is washing dishes, floors, walls and so on, then wear gloves or even a respirator so as not to inhale harmful couples. If you wash clothes with powders, then do not forget to rinse your clothes well, since the chemistry that will remain on your clothes, when worn, will absorb into your body and will undoubtedly cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an allergy to detergents
Symptoms of allergies to detergents appear on the skin. The most common variants of an allergic reaction are:
- Redness;
- Itching;
- Dryness and cracks on the skin;
- Rash and irritation;
- Skin peeling, which had direct contact with the stimulus;
- Red spots, swelling;
- The appearance of burns.
Please note that the body's response to the detergent is very unpredictable. Everything can begin with a slight redness of the hands and reach asphyxia of the respiratory tract. Among the components that are part of the detergent and can cause an allergic reaction, the most dangerous: loose elements, flavors, dyes.
If you are allergic to detergent, then it appears because of the phosphates that make up the composition of the remedy. Phosphates make the water softer, which greatly improves the quality of washing clothes. Worst of all, the fact that if after the striki it is bad to rinse the laundry, then this will cause an allergic reaction throughout the body.
Symptoms of allergy to detergents are always manifested in redness, itching of the body, runny nose and even coughing, tears and so on. To get rid of allergies, you must abandon the irritant - detergent with allergens.
Diagnosis of detergent allergy
Diagnosis of allergy to detergent begins with the source of the disease, that is, detergent or powder, which triggered an allergic reaction.
The cause of allergy to detergents can be any household cleaning means: cleaner for windows and floors, powder, stain remover, shampoo, dishwashing. And all because the main components that make up the detergent have surfactants that behave very aggressively, they only have to get to the unprotected skin area.
Protection and diagnostics of detergent allergy
When using detergents and avoiding the occurrence of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to use those means that do not give much foam. Remember that foaming agents are very dangerous.
To protect yourself from allergies to detergent, use gloves to protect your hands. If you have such sensitive skin that the allergy appears even through gloves, then use a simple, but safe prescription for an anti-allergic cleanser: a bar of laundry soap, a little lemon acid, soda and mustard. Mix all the ingredients, and you will get a wonderful, and most importantly safe version of household chemicals.
Buying detergent in stores, pay special attention to funds without phosphates, detergents with buyiotechnics, that is useful bacteria that qualitatively eliminate pollution, but do not cause allergies.
Once you feel that after cleaning on the skin there is a rash or itching, immediately wash the affected area with running water. If possible, apply an anti-allergenic or anti-inflammatory cream to the skin. In extreme cases, rinse with infusion of chamomile medicinal.
Remember that detergents are especially dangerous for young children. If you have a child, then wash his things and wash his dishes only with special means. Now the market has a lot of detergents that do not contain allergens and are designed specifically for children.
Treatment of allergies to detergents
Treatment of allergies to detergents begins with the alleviation of symptoms. For these purposes, antihistamine ointments and preparations that contain corticosteroids are used.
As soon as you notice an allergic reaction to the skin, immediately flush the affected area with water, consider that your cleaning is over. It is impossible, after the appearance of an allergic reaction, to change one detergent to another, this will only aggravate the situation and complicate the symptoms. Use gloves and soft hypoallergenic detergent, this will mitigate the effect of allergens in the detergent.
Types of allergies to detergents and their treatment
- Allergy to powder, detergents, cleaners - rinse affected area with clean water. Apply to the skin cream or ointment, with anti-inflammatory effect or make a compress of chamomile infusion drug.
- Allergy to shampoo - this allergy happens due to the fact that you change your shampoo too often. The main symptom is dandruff, a small itch. Before you try a new shampoo on your hair, apply it on your arm, if redness appears, it means that an allergic reaction can not be avoided.
- Allergy to powder is the most insidious kind of allergy that appears after you put on clothes that have been poorly washed from detergent. This problem is relevant for intimate allergies. Well rinse clothes, especially underwear and things of small children. In order to cure such an allergy, it is enough to stop wearing clothes that cause irritation and wash the affected areas with anti-inflammatory mixtures.
If you do not take time to treat allergies to detergents, the usual redness and itching will develop into skin dermatitis. Skin dermatitis is a more severe form of allergy, which can be chronic.
Prevention of allergy to detergents
Allergy to detergents is not a fatal disease, but very unpleasant. If you have encountered a similar problem, you know how many inconveniences an allergy can deliver. To avoid rash, do not sneeze or scratch, when using detergents, you must adhere to the rules of prevention of allergies.
Prevention of allergy to detergents includes the following activities:
- Use detergents that are specifically designed for sensitive skin or a product labeled "hypoallergenic". If the allergy occurs, it will have mild symptoms that will not cause you any discomfort and discomfort.
- Use detergents without dyes, flavors, phenol, ammonia, acetone, chlorine.
- Replace the purchased detergents with natural analogs.
- Instead of aerosols and cloud-cleaning detergents, use gels. This will prevent allergen particles from entering the respiratory tract.
- Use detergents only with gloves to keep yourself safe from allergic reactions.
Do cleaning with the use of allergenic household chemicals only as a last resort. Do not scrub the floors daily and wash dishes with substances that are harmful to your health.
Allergy to detergents is the most common female problem. Women have always been cleaning the house and will not stop doing it because of allergenic household chemicals. But you can always protect yourself: carefully read the detergent label and use rubber gloves.
Protect yourself and prevent the occurrence of allergies. Be healthy!