In a spin: washday wisdom

Getting your family’s washing clean can be a minefield when you add eczema into the equation. Here, Claire Moulds looks at ways to take the pain out of doing laundry.

Everyone knows that when you’re not feeling Detergent dramas 100% putting on fresh, clean clothes makes you feel that little bit better, so it’s only natural when It can feel as though you’re starring in your your skin is not at its best to crave the comfort of very own when trying to find newly laundered sheets and garments. the right detergent for you and your family. Anger, tears and despair can all be triggered Add in the sticky residue left on fabric by some by standing in the washing aisle and either creams and ointments and the knowledge that not knowing what to choose next or finding sore, open skin is prone to infection and it’s that the product you’ve been happily using is therefore no surprise that those with eczema proudly announcing a ‘brand new formulation’ and their families find themselves bonding on its packaging. very closely with their washing machine. In truth it is possible to over-obsess about And yet, while on the surface clean laundry detergent – it is all too easy to try to pin down sounds like an obvious way to help stay healthy, that one elusive ‘cause’ for eczema flares, your skin. Many find that own- recently asked the National present risk of a manufacturer detergents, stain removers and fabric softeners but alas eczema is rarely so simple. If you brand products from the local Eczema Society’s Facebook altering the ‘magic formula’ can all unleash an onslaught of potential are struggling to find something that works supermarket can be just as users to tell us which products that’s worked for you is also triggers – a situation made worse by the fact for your skin, there are things you can do to good as the premium names. worked for them and the most the reason to stockpile a that the material that has been washed in them maximise your chances of buying the right commonly mentioned (in no product once you’ve found it Also check that, whichever is then in direct contact with our bare skin. product. Perfume/fragrance can be a real issue particular order) included: so that – if a change is made product you’re using, you with these products, so choosing ones that – you have enough to keep don’t use too much of it – use > Surcare Sensitive Rinse and repeat do not have perfume or fragrance mentioned you going for a month or two as little as is consistent with > Aldi Almat non-biological It may sound obvious but adding an extra in their ingredients list should automatically while you search for a suitable getting a clean wash. This may > Ecover Zero range rinse cycle to your wash can make a huge eliminate a potential trigger. Not everyone replacement. Far better than difference. Some models of washing machine reacts to perfume/fragrance and you might well be less than suggested > Lidl’s Formil non-biological having to panic buy something automatically add an extra one to certain be able to use fragranced products without on the packaging. Overdosing > Asda non-biological new, as you’ve completely run programmes – i.e. the ‘baby’ cycle – but it’s any issues but, if you’ve been unable to find your wash can cause problems and its Little Angels range out of your old one! a suitable detergent to date, it is an obvious because of the concentration easy to get your own machine to run one once > Simply thing to rule out. your chosen programme has finished. of chemicals used. Equally, do (Sensitive and Pure versions) Y ou’re just not not overload your machine or As well as helping to reduce the amount of Anecdotal evidence also shows that many > non-biological my type people with sensitive skin get on better with the clothes will not be rinsed chemicals left on your clothes, an extra rinse > Persil non-biological Interestingly, while our non-biological products than biological thoroughly enough. will also help to reduce the amount left in your > Tesco non-biological Facebook users were widely machine. So, if you’re struggling with your products that contain enzymes to help remove While what works for one in agreement when it came stains. So choosing non-biological formulas > current detergent, don’t automatically switch person with eczema won’t to the brands they use, they could also help, although scientifically there to another as it could irritate your skin even necessarily work for another, > Boots Sensitive Skin disagreed significantly on isn’t any reason why this should be so. more. Instead, try adding an extra rinse first it can help to know which And, if you’ve already found the best format – tablets, and see how your skin responds to that, as it Equally, don’t assume that expensive or products other sufferers have something that works, don’t powders, liquids, gels – for may offer a quick and easy solution. ‘specialist’ products are automatically better for found useful in the past. We get complacent. The ever- those with sensitive skin.

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T he overwhelming preference seemed You’ve got a friend in me to be for liquids or powders though, with users falling into one camp or the If you want your washing machine to give you its other. For example, I can use Persil non- best performance every time, you need to take biological powder but my skin is deeply extra care of it. irritated by Persil non-biological liquid. The different parts of your machine can easily Tackling For others, it is the reverse and they can get clogged up with ‘nasties’ including bacteria, tolerate a liquid detergent far better mould and chemicals – studies have shown xercise John Fuller offers tips on than a powder version. As a general that a build-up of bacteria in the interior of a e y how to enjoy exercise rule though, no one was keen on tablets washing machine can transfer to the wash water when ou have while guarding against any – possibly because they can stop you of subsequent cycles with as many as one million unwelcome skin reaction. using less detergent prewash than the bacteria found in just two tablespoons of wash manufacturer recommends. water – so it’s vital to run a hot wash at 90° when eczema the machine is empty at least once a month. Use If you don’t currently know which camp Over the years, playing sport has been one of the most significant triggers for my you fall into – powder vs liquid – it may a biological detergent for this ‘empty’ wash. This therefore be worth trying different can also help to minimise the damage done by atopic eczema. Working up a sweat and then trying to resist tearing at my skin formats of the same product rather than emollients to washing machine seals. In addition, as the itch sets in has been an ongoing challenge, but not without its life lessons. changing brand completely. regularly take out the detergent drawer and give Here’s a look at the key issues I have experienced, which you too might face, and it a hot soak while using an old toothbrush to some suggestions of ways to mitigate any difficulties. Of course, some people omit detergent remove any build-up that’s on it. altogether and use Eco balls or an Eco egg in their wash instead. However, some Finally, remember to leave the washing Overheating and sweat Here are a few ideas: users do report that their washing isn’t machine door and detergent drawer open Circumstance may conspire against you when as clean as it is when using conventional between cycles so the machine fully dries When we take physical exercise, our bodies it comes to taking precautions (for example, detergent. out. This will also help to prevent mould from perspire to regulate our temperature and developing inside and bacteria from multiplying. cool us down. The first problem for those of it may be inappropriate to pause mid-match) but wherever possible, be aware of when Soft touch us with eczema is that we tend to be more While there are no easy answers, these susceptible to overheating so – by the time you’re starting to feel too hot and itchy and T he use of fabric softener also proved suggestions should give you a useful we’re sweating – our skin is likely to be take a break to cool down. divisive amongst the group, with some framework in which to make changes hot, flushed and at the mercy of the awful Drink plenty of water during and after able to tolerate it happily and others to different aspects of your washing itch. Secondly, the salts and minerals lost exercise. finding it caused irritation. routine. It’s important to remember though during the process of sweating can sting, Have cold compresses or an ice pack to hand that – while many people state that Again, this is a very individual matter particularly if there are patches of broken for some instant relief while removing sweaty but, when looking for a new detergent, their detergent is to blame for a sudden skin. clothes. deterioration in their skin – it could very it would make sense to remove fabric What can you do? Everyone sweats, Taking a shower as soon as you can easily be something else entirely that has softener from the equation so you are particularly during a workout, whether will remove residual sweat that hasn’t prompted a flare up. It’s therefore vital to solely testing the detergent itself. Once that’s pounding the squash courts, a stint evaporated. ensure that your skin-care routine is as you have found one that works for on the running machine or 90 minutes on a thorough as possible when trialling new Even if the problem seems insurmountable, you and have used it for over a month Saturday for your football team. don’t give up – there’s going to be a form of laundry products, as you may just find that successfully, then you can trial the use of exercise or a sport that you can enjoy and your laundry product isn’t to blame. a fabric softener if you so wish. that allows you a degree of control over your eczema.

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