Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
A laundry detergent allergy can cause an itchy, red rash to appear after wearing newly cleaned clothes. Other possible symptoms include hot skin, swelling, blisters, or bumps.
Anallergic reactionto ingredients in your laundry detergent may develop suddenly, even if it’s a brand you’ve used for years. Symptoms can affect specific parts of your body, like the armpits, or spread over all areas that come into contact with your clothes.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is a Laundry Detergent Allergy?
Having a laundry detergent allergy doesn’t necessarily mean you are allergic to a certain brand. Laundry detergent can cause an allergic reaction when it contains one or more ingredients that you are allergic to. When you wear clothes that have been washed in them, your body has a negative reaction calledcontact dermatitis.
In addition to skin issues, research has shown that laundry detergent can also irritate the cells in the lungs, possibly leading toasthmaor other types of allergic reactions.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Common Causes of Laundry Detergent Allergies
You can have an allergic reaction to laundry detergent containing certain ingredients. The biggest culprits are fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants. Some people might also be allergic to dyes used to color the detergent.
Contact Dermatitis vs. AllergyWhile direct contact with bleach or other chemicals can cause significant skin irritation, it is not the same as having an allergy to laundry detergent. Contact with a strong chemical is called irritant contact dermatitis. Skin cells are damaged in the area that has been exposed, but it does not cause an allergic reaction that involves your immune system.
Contact Dermatitis vs. Allergy
While direct contact with bleach or other chemicals can cause significant skin irritation, it is not the same as having an allergy to laundry detergent. Contact with a strong chemical is called irritant contact dermatitis. Skin cells are damaged in the area that has been exposed, but it does not cause an allergic reaction that involves your immune system.
Fragrances
Fragrance chemicals are added to laundry detergent to make it smell good. However, these chemicals can cause allergic reactions. Two ingredients (calledhydroperoxides) that are often added to make detergents smell better include:
These substances release their scent when they mix with oxygen in the air.
Preservatives
Preservatives are added to laundry detergent to help protect against contamination. They are used to prolong shelf life and kill bacteria or fungi that can cause the detergent to break down and be less effective for cleaning.
One group of preservatives, called parabens, has received a lot of negative attention in the media. These chemicals are thought to beendocrine disruptors, meaning they might mimic or interfere with hormones in the body. In reality, allergic reactions to parabens are rare.
However, this fear has led to the development of many paraben-free products, including some types of laundry detergents.
Surfactants
Surfactantsare another ingredient in laundry detergent that could cause an allergic reaction.These substances help break up stains and keep dirt that’s released from laundry into the water from sticking back onto your clothes. Some surfactants in laundry detergent may include:
Some types of surfactants are particularly helpful for removing oil-based stains, while others act as fabric softeners.
Surfactants boost the effectiveness of your laundry detergent, but coming into contact with these substances can cause skin irritation.
Other Ingredients to Know About
Other ingredients may cause skin irritation or allergies in some people. There are many other ingredients in laundry detergent to know about, including:
Current studies investigating the role of these ingredients in allergic reactions are minimal. In the existing studies, researchers often remain uncertain about the relationship between ingredient exposure and allergic reactions.
For example, a 2002 study investigated the role of laundry detergent enzymes and laundry brighteners in developing allergic contact dermatitis. Study authors concluded that an allergic reaction to these ingredients was possible but rare.
Symptoms of a Laundry Detergent Allergy
An allergic reaction to laundry detergent looks a lot like an allergic reaction to other substances (such aspoison ivyor poison oak) that cause contact dermatitis.Symptoms can include:
These symptoms can be ongoing if you’re consistently exposed to the allergen and can last for weeks after the exposure stops.
How Is a Laundry Detergent Allergy Diagnosed?
Allergy symptoms from laundry detergent can occur within a few hours or as late as 10 days after you’ve been exposed to the allergen.This can make it particularly difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms.
You may be able to see your primary care provider for a diagnosis. Or your primary care provider may refer you to anallergistfor specialized care. Then, the provider can determine the culprit with a series ofpatch tests.
During patch testing, a series of “patches” containing different allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction) are taped to your back. These patches must stay in place and cannot get wet. You won’t be able to shower, and you’ll have to avoid excess sweating during the five days it takes to complete a patch test.
After 48 hours, the patches are removed. Your healthcare provider will then assess your skin to look for negative reactions. To assess for delayed reactions, you will return after another 48 hours have passed to be reassessed. If you have an allergy to one or more of the substances, your symptoms will still be present at your last visit to your healthcare provider.
Treating Rashes From Detergent
There are several ways you can help reduce your symptoms while you’re waiting to see if you have a laundry detergent allergy or if you accidentally wear something washed with a detergent in which you’re allergic.These include:
If you have an allergy, taking anoral antihistaminemight also help to relieve the itch. Also, in some cases, atopical corticosteroidmay be prescribed to manage inflammation and itch.
Being proactive about prevention and finding alternative cleaning solutions will help you to find relief. Laundry allergies will likely persist as long as you continue to use the same detergent.
Summary
A laundry detergent allergy may be to blame if you develop a rash after wearing recently washed clothing. But you may need to reach out to your healthcare provider to know for sure if you have an allergy.
Your healthcare provider will likely refer you to an allergist—a doctor who specializes in treating allergies—to determine whether you have a skin condition that needs treatment. Your healthcare provider can also prescribe skin creams or medications to help control your allergy symptoms if over-the-counter treatments are not working.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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