Detergents don't cause allergies?!

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newwave1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2005
Messages
1,982
Location
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Hey Guys,
Whilst on www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk i came across this article, which interests me as one of my main things i have to have is a washing machine that rinses detergent out properly!

& here is what it said!:

"Report Proves Washing Powders Do Not Cause Skin Problems
News!We often hear that cleaning detergents used in washing machines and washer dryers cause people to have skin problems and, for many years, we have been telling people that this just isn't the case. A few days ago The Times reported that scientists have no proven that this is in fact the case. The suggestion was that biological powders and liquid detergents, which contain enzymes that "digest" dirt and stains, can irritate the skin or aggravate eczema.

The suspicion is thought to have arisen after workers manufacturing detergent enzymes suffered skin reactions. However, an association with eczema when the detergents are used in the home had not been clearly proven.

Scientists from Nottingham and London carried out a review of the evidence, looking at both normal and extreme exposures to the biological agents.

Dr Sarah Wakelin, a dermatologist at St Mary's Hospital, London, said: "Investigations of numerous individuals with skin complaints attributed to laundry products demonstrate convincingly that enzymes were not responsible.

"Indeed, enzyme-containing laundry products have an extensive history of safe use. Thus, the supposed adverse effects of enzymes on skin seem to be a consequence of mythology."

The researchers' findings appear today in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Several studies had also looked at the effects of product residues left on clothes, and found no evidence that these caused irritation.

Dr Wakelin said: "Substances must penetrate the outer skin barrier to reach the lower layers and do so in a sufficient quantity to activate the immune system in such a manner as to lead to an allergic response.

"By virtue of their size, enzymes are unlikely to penetrate the skin to any great degree. Also, enzymes in laundry products are encapsulated in a robust, inert barrier. This means that actual skin exposure will be extremely low."

You can find out more on this subject from this article which offers further help and advice. However we would advise that you should use your detergents correctly to get the best possible results and to save the danger of residues being left on clothing.

It is also highly advisable to regularly carry out a maintenance wash (You can find instructions here) or that you clean your machine internally regularly with a cleaner to avoid the build up of residues and bad smells with the likes of Afffresh washing machine and washer dryer cleaner which we recommend to ensure that your washing machine is clean internally, where you cannot see the build up of dirt and residues."

what are everybodys thoughts on this?

Personally, i hate clothes that aren't rinsed and are stiffer than cardboard. they feel horrible!

Darren.
 
Back in the 1970's my Mom used to wash our clothing in a detergent called "Miracle White". The machine she used was a 1963 Frigidare Custom Imperial.
When she started using that detergent, I had rashes all over the place, and it itched like hell. I told her I think it is the detergent. She said that was impossible. She consulted our family doctor and he said it was impossible. So my Mom said that since everyone thinks it's impossible to get a rash or other irritation from detergent, I must be doing something else to get the rash.
And my Mom stood her ground "I am NOT going to change detergents!" So I bought a box of Oxydol and did my own laundry. The rash went away immediately.
For the life of me I can't figure out why she liked Miracle White so much.....
 
Not surprising.

The UK is pretty much the only place that markets non-bio as a "gentle" detergent and people have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

If it was true, surely every single country would have non-bio as a sensitive skin detergent.

I'm sure P&G and Unilever know this, but choose not to rock the boat and continue marketing their (inferior) non-bios with images of cute babies and caring mums!
 
The detergent does not have to penetrate into the skin for allergies.That article is a bunch of hookee falookee.Soap
itch is for real.BTW,why does my computer do such wrong spacing?
 
Well, I think the article is there basically to sell their "washer cleaner". I will say that I know people can get allergies from lots of things, detergents included -- one of the easiest ways is to constantly wash your hands and not rinse well (or even if you do), because dry skin doesn't protect you from the elements as easily and you can get rashes in no time that way. That have been said, I think that *most* of the people who complain about detergents and softeners have some other cause behind their problems. One thing people can do is avoid touching the detergents (more common when measuring powders) when loading the machines, use gloves and/or rinse your skin well. For people who are not loading the machines and are getting rashes, I find that two things seem to correct the problem: wash in hot water and rinse well, *including* using a liquid fabric softener to remove all traces of detergent.

I know a few cases personally, where the dermatologists told people (including one of my brothers) to use detergents with no enzymes and not use fabric softener. How did I find out about my brother's case? I was visiting, and had to do my laundry, so I asked them if they wanted me to put their clothes in the wash to make it a full load. They said yes and didn't tell me anything special, so I did hot washes with a TOL detergent (with enzymes and oxygen bleach) and used a fabric softener. Two days later, he's asking me what did I do that his rashes disappeared, so I told him, and he told me that every time he does laundry the way the dermatologist told him to, his rashes come back and every time he washes the way I told him to, he gets better. I told that to a friend who had the same problem, and he told me that indeed, his skin problems got better after switching to my system. What really cured my friend though, was when his doctor switched him to a generic acid reflux drug -- apparently he was allergic to an ingredient in the original drug and his skin problems completely disappeared... when his dermatologist finally consulted the PDR, they found out that skin rashes were a common side effect to that drug.

My theory is that people who have washers that have mold/mildew and residues, may actually be allergic to those no matter what they do. Clean out the washer and dryer, and then choose a TOL detergent and do hot washes to actually remove *all* the dirt from the clothes, use the measuring cup to measure accurately (I find that many people use less detergent in the mistaken belief it will be easer to rinse and/or that the manufacturers tell you to overdose -- until your clothes are actually clean and you are free of the rashes, you will have to use as much detergent as necessary to remove all traces of the dirt that is causing you skin trouble; rinse as many times as necessary to remove all traces of detergent, and use a *liquid* fabric softener to neutralize the detergent).

Last two thoughts on the matter: first off, here in US the "baby clothes" detergents, particularly Dreft, have lots of enzymes, so it's not clear to me that just because it has or fail to have enzymes the detergent will be gentler to the clothes or the skin, it's mostly what the advertisers can convince people to buy. Second, one of the most common things to cause skin rashes and allergies in general is chlorine bleach, which is rather hard to rinse, if you can smell it on your clothes, it's still there, rinse again or find a way to get it out of the clothes, like some anti-chlor rinse agent -- it doesn't have to be from the laundry either, at least a couple of cases I've heard of, the people were suffering from respiratory allergies and nothing was helping until they found out that the chlorine from the swimming pools were causing the trouble -- just by using a saline rinse in their noses right after swimming made the problem go away, and the other case was helped by showering right after the pool. YMMV.
 
There are other countries with "non-bio" detergents, they just don't say so on the label. Some MOL, and BOL brands of laundry detergents in the United States do not contain enzymes including, IIRC All "allergy" detergent.

IMHO persons complaining of enzyme residue causing rashes, perhaps are not having laundry rinsed clean, and there is detergent residue which can cause problems for some. There is also the fact many people go over board with enzyme containing products, such as using an enzyme containing laundry detergent, then adding enzyme containing stain treatment/oxygen bleaches, and perhaps pre-treating with another enzyme product.

Dreft for infant laundry does contain enzymes, and indeed is a very strong detergent. However it is designed to rinse clean, leaving no residue to harm baby. Well at least in theory.

As for enzyme detergents being more gentle to skin and or laundry, well can see where that is possible. Without enzymes, laundry day would be back where our grandmothers were, lots of hot water, washing soda and or other strong chemicals to shift dirt and oils. Almost by themselves, enzymes have made doing laundry in warm and even cool or cold water with the same performance as using hot or boiling wash water temperatures.
 
I have VERY sensitive skin (getting worse, too) which reacts to poor rinsing and to certain detergents more than others. I have just started using a liquid which is sold as a sensitive skin formula, and it does contain enzymes. we'll see how itchy I get...

The above article is poorly written, in that it appears the tests were directed at sensitivity to ENZYMES, yet the text and especially the title suggests it has disproven sensitivity to DETERGENTS. They are two very different things.

I also have recently tried a "sensitive skin body wash" which contains mainly herbal extracts, plus sodium laureth sulphate, which is a detergent. After a week of using it daily, I had new rashes under each arm, on both legs and around the rude bits. After two weeks NOT using it, those new rashes are gone. (but the old ones on hands and feet remain.)

I believe that the link between detergents and skin rashes is well established. Rashes and enzymes, not so sure.

Chris.
 
Detergent Allergy

As a youngster I was allergic to Cold Power,Drive,and Mum's favouite-Rinso (this annoyed her as she really LOVED Rinso),and even though she dissolved it as best she could before each wash,I still broke out in hives and scratching from these.
The then family doctor indicated that it was most likely the perfumes in them which aggravated me, as Omo and Surf did not worry me.
To tell you the truth, I don't know if they would still affect me now,perhaps I might try Cold Power and Drive one day just to see.
Cheers folks.
Steve
 
I don't quite understand the logic of this blame of enzymes on allergic reactions. There are other components in detergents that are much more likely to cause problems.

I would say the two riskiest components are strong scents / perfumes and the surfactants in the detergent.

Enzymes seem to be scapegoated.

I know that I've had bad reactions to non-bio detergents and I sometimes suspect that they use even more surfactants and nasty chemicals than biological detergents which can remove stains without resorting to old-fashioned harsh chemicals!

Also, I would suspect that the use of heavily scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets is way more likely to be an issue as it deliberately leaves chemicals on your clothes.

The key thing is top of the line detergent and plenty of rinsing!
 
When Drive was first introduced in the '70's, I remember my aunt telling us while we visited her on vacation that she liked the smell and the cleaning power, but it made her entire family break out with a rash. So, we took two king size boxes that she gave us back to El Paso that summer.

And recently for me, I quit using Surf with All Stain Lifters, as it gave me a very itchy rash on my stomach. When I switched to Gain, it went away.
 
Hmmm...

If detergents did not cause alergic reactions, then why are there "nonalergic" or "hypoalergic" formulations out there? But here is a tricky question: Could people still be alergic to the "sterile" detergent varieties, even without all the dyes, perfumes, preservatives, additives, etc?--Laundry Shark
 
I can't say exactly where the blame lies, but I am sensitive to biological detergents and not so much to non-biological. Maybe the biological detergents don't rinse out as well, or there is something in them that leaves a residue not in the non-bio, but they affect my skin.

Non-bio has too, if not rinsed properly, but that's not a problem at the moment.

The enzymes may be being scapegoated, but that article is terribly written because it is attempting to state detergents are non-allergens while claiming that it is enzymes that don't cause allergies.
 
I used to use Drive back when I was in college for a while. I loved the smell and it cleaned clothes well. I wish they'd bring it back. Anyone know why it was dropped? I never had any skin problems with Drive and for that matter I never had any skin problems from any other detergent either, just that crappy Miracle White.
BTW, I found this info about Miracle White. It was a first attempt at a "green" detergent. I didn't know that!

 
I think it is dyes and perfumes as much as anything.

I believe that it is dyes and perfumes as much as anything, that causes reaction.

We use Biopac Laundry Detergent -- uses 2 tablespoons for our Whirlpool front loader. Very concentrated, but also has no dyes, perfumes, etc. in it.

Using anything with dyes or perfumes gives me hives. I'm glad to know it couldn't possibly be happening!!
 
im not sure what to belive but i know this much from experience:

kirkland signature (costco's brand) of fabric softener makes me sneeze like no tomorrow, wisk for some reason when using it gives my hands a rash and everywhere else, snuggle fabric softener specifically the "blue sparkle" smell makes me sneeze alot other than that i havent had any real severe rashes but wonder just how much is or isnt true also dosing takes a huge affect i only use 1 cup of softener in the dispenser and dilute it with water and never use maore tan i need in detergent. I always follow the recommendations on the package.
 
Brands in Australia

Dirtybuck,
As far as I am aware P&G products are not available here in Australia, the main 2 companies are Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever with a smattering of smaller companies in between.
The main laundry detergents available here are:
Omo-Unilever.
Surf-Unilever.
Cold Power-C.P.
Dynamo-C.P.
Spree-C.P.
Radiant-Cussons.
Drive-Unilever.
Hurricane-C.P.
A couple of green type detergents-made by small local firms,and a few other brands mostly made by local firms.
 
Non-Bio UK & Ireland

You have to remember that Persil Non-Bio in particular is marketed as being kind to skin. I suspect that it's actually a hypoalergenic forumula as well as being non-bio.

Just not having the enzymes is unlikely to make much difference.

Maybe unilever shoudl do some cross branding..

Persil Pure to go with Comfort Pure...

Hypoalergenic, bio with no scent?
 
Allergies

By their very definition are going to be tough to track down and any claim to "hypo-allergenic" or "bio/non-bio" is worthless if you happen to be allergic to an ingredient in the formulation.
Low/no scent detergents without coloration and optical brighteners together with proper rinsing, very high speed spin-drying and minimal/non-use of fabric softeners together with fabrics which breath (most synthetics are as much use as wrapping a vinyl shower curtain around you) are your best bet.
I've never yet seen a single double-blind study showing enzymes cause problems - are there any? As fast as they breakdown, I rather doubt it. Chlorine bleach, on the other hand, is the devil to rinse out and has no place in a child's world.
I can't think of a single reason why one should not be allergic to synthetics, apart perhaps from Teflon...
One of the best things you can do for your child, IMHO, is not to insist on more clothes than necessary. In the US, folks don't have much choice. Here in Europe you can let the child go naked in good weather -
 
Funny that this thread has come up. I have been to my pc physician and now have been to a dermatologist with another appointment next week. Have had complete blood tests done and no one has an explanation. I started to get these little bumps, bites? rash on my body since February. Itches like a bastard. No one can tell me what it is. They gave me some steriod lotion to put on them to stop the itch. I am taking an Allegra in the morning and benadrile at night. Nothing major just a few little bumps here and there. On arms legs back chest fortunately not in the hidden areas. I have been using Tide liquid w/bleach and Downy April fresh for years now. I was allergic to Tide many years ago, but have been using it for about 20 years now. I have picked up a bottle of All x2 clean, no perfurmes or dyes. I am not using fabice softener anymore. We shall see in the next few weeks of washing some clothes and towels to see if this makes a difference. This is driving me crazy. I hope that this is the solution.
Jon
 
Purex Free and Clear and All x2 Free and Clear

Having sensitive and dry skin-I found Purex and All to be gentle on my skin. I don't use a fabric softner-except for white vinegar which I add 1 cup to my rinse cycle on white clothing-when using bleach or oxy-clean-seems to neutralize the water and bleach smell. Never use fabric sheets such as Bounce as I tend to break out same with Downy. Of course, living in an apartment building some of the tenants use these flower scented detergents that the washers smell like a garden. Thank god, my clothes for some reason never picked up the scent. I also, air dry my clothing instead of drying-it be the residue of the fabric sheets that other tenants use come onto my clothing.
 
So off I went to the dermatologist Monday. He took a biopsy off of my stomach. Man I was not planning for that and stiches followed. OWW! Then they sent me for more blood work and chest x-rays? They are trying to rule out all possibilites, cancer is what they were looking for. Has been a couple of non sleep nights after that. I am supposed to hear from the doctor tomorrow on the results. I have changed to All free and clear and like the results I have been getting from the wash. Absolutely no smell after. So after a few cocktails last night I was on the phone talking with a friend of mine stating how Tide has changed their label so the ingredients must have changed also. A lot of things are going to change because of having to drop thyolates out of products here in the US. Well during my rant something came out of my mouth and I was shocked. I stated that BJ's changed their liquid soap and I didn't care for the smell so I changed to Soft Soap back in January. I AM ALLERGIC TO SOFT SOAP. I had completely spaced that out. I bought a bar of Nutregenia soap and took a shower this morning. Well the little bumps and rash have decreased by at least 50% so far and I am not scratching. I can't believe I overlooked this for so long. Wait till I talk with the doctor tomorrow. He better not come up with any positive results on all these tests. So if you have this problem please go over and over and over again on what you are using. As we get older the mind has so many things on it sometimes it's easy to overlook one simple thing. Health and Happiness to all.

Jon
 
A few years ago I had a bad reaction to Tide. My doctor said to change detergents for awhile and then switch back and see what happens. Same reaction, come to find out it was the fragrence, and not the detergent that was roughing up the family jewels.
 
I'll keep my fingers crossed it's nothing, Jon

But great that you stumbled across the problem.
It's surprising, really, how few allergies we all suffer, given the potential allergens floating around.
 
Cheap store-brand detergents give me the itchies. My sister was allergic to waxy softeners as a kid, when her knees and elbows would swell and itch.

But if you REALLY want to get a reaction, but bleach in the softener dispenser withough realizing it. (DAMN those foreign imports with pictographs/symbols instead of writing... )

Bleach in the final rinse? It wasn't pretty. Every time I sweat a litle bit it drew out the bleach residue. I was on fire! (How does Miss Michael Jackson do it?) From that point on, even once corrected I tend to do extra rinses quite a bit. I am a firm believer that the final rise should be just that... a PURE rinse..water only.

So are we saying USA detergents have enzymes even though they not be labeled and/or noted on the ingredients?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzymes
 
Jon:

We tried Softsoap a few years ago and didn't like it. I don't think it rinses off the body very well. I use Basis soap or Cetaphil as it is very gentle and rinses very well. You may want to give one of those a try too. Cetaphil was recommended by my dermatologist.
 
"I AM ALLERGIC TO SOFT SOAP. I had completely spaced that out. I bought a bar of Nutregenia soap and took a shower this morning. Well the little bumps and rash have decreased by at least 50% so far and I am not scratching. I can't believe I overlooked this for so long."

Another good alternative, IMHO, is Ivory Liquid Hand Soap, which is sold in pump bottles and refills at pretty reasonable prices.

It is clear and doesn't have the moisturizers that products like Softsoap have. I've used it in the shower, and it performs favorably to the popular body washes, even Ivory's own IMHO plain white body wash.
 
Not too long ago

Our version of "Consumer Reports" tested the most expensive and "exclusive" soft soaps (which are really detergents, at least here in Germany,) the standard brands and the generic or store brands.
They all came out to be equally effective and they all have nearly identical active ingredients. The only difference is the price, scent - or lack thereof - and the perceived value.
Several years ago, one of the TV stations here in Europe tried a test -
When the cheapest "soaps" are filled into the containers of the most expensive brands and vice-versa, consumers were certain that the cheap stuff - bottled expensively - was considerably better than the expensive stuff - bottled inexpensively.
There are bound to be ingredients in one brand or another to which one reacts better or worse, but I would not make any assumptions based on price.
Sadly, there is also no guarantee that just because a brand (upscale or no) is ok for you today that it will remain so. Companies have completely lost interest in quality, all that matters is making a quick profit.
 
Ok the doctor just called, boy was I getting nervous at this time of the day.I had called the office 2 hours prior. The x-rays came back negative. YEA! The pathologists report came back that biopsy was hypersensitive. Yes we knew this before. Additional blood work reports should be in tomorrow and he will know more then and will call me then. Strange thing is the past two days I am fine till like three in the afternoon and all of a sudden I start itching like crazy. Steroid cream all over the body to calm it down. I has really picked up in the past two weeks. I just also found out one of my employees has the chicken pox. Oh my. Just another day in the life of.
 
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