Are You Allergic to Your Laundry Detergent?

Putting on a warm, clean sweatshirt straight out of the dryer is one of life’s small luxuries. But if you notice some not-so-satisfying symptoms like itchy skin, redness or even a rash, your laundry detergent may be the culprit.

A laundry detergent allergy is when your skin reacts poorly to laundry detergent or residue left on your clothes and linens. It commonly triggers allergic contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can worsen existing skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema).

What does a laundry detergent allergy look like?

It can be tricky to pin down an allergy to laundry detergent. That’s because it can often look like a reaction to other things, like poison ivy and topical medications.

But the key difference is that you notice symptoms after you use something that’s freshly washed and dried, says pediatric dermatologist Joan Tamburro, DO.

You may notice symptoms on your skin like:

• Redness: Your skin may appear inflamed or blotchy.
• Rash: This is when a large or small area of your skin is itchy, raised or even blister-like.
• Extreme itching: You may notice persistent itching, especially in areas where your clothes are tight or rub against your skin.
• Dry or scaly patches: These can develop over time with repeated exposure.
• Swelling: Some areas may become puffy or irritated.
• Increased temperature: Your skin may feel hot to the touch or you may even experience a stinging sensation.

What causes a laundry detergent allergy?

The reason you may have a bad reaction to laundry detergent is largely due to the ingredients used to make the products. This means you’re either allergic to one or more of the chemicals in these products, or they’re somehow triggering an existing skin condition.

Ingredients and additives that may cause a laundry detergent allergy include:

• Fragrances: Synthetic perfumes or scents may help make your laundry smell like a lavender field, but they’re often the culprits for triggering an allergy. Ingredients like limonene (for citrus scents) and linalool (for floral scents) can cause allergic reactions for some.
• Dyes: Have you noticed how a lot of the detergents have a blue tint? This is because of certain dyes used in the products, which can also irritate sensitive skin.
• Preservatives: These are often added to detergents to prolong their shelf lives. But preservatives like parabens and formaldehyde-releasers can also be the cause of an allergic skin reaction.
• Surfactants: Chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate help lift dirt and oil from clothes — and can dry out your skin. While rare, research shows that certain surfactants can cause allergic reactions as well.

How to test for a laundry detergent allergy

There are a couple of ways you can check if your laundry detergent causes your symptoms.

Pay attention to when symptoms start

You’ll need to do some detective work. Look to see if your symptoms occur after wearing freshly laundered clothes, using bath towels or sleeping on clean sheets. Keep in mind that the rash will usually show up on parts of your body where clothing is tight or in constant contact, such as your underarms, neck and waist.

And while you may notice symptoms after just a few hours, Dr. Tamburro says it can also take up to 10 days after an allergen exposure for symptoms to appear.

You should seek medical attention if:

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite switching detergents
• Your rash becomes widespread or painful
• You want to identify other potential causes of the skin reaction, such as eczema, psoriasis or contact dermatitis from another source

Do an elimination test

Try switching to a hypoallergenic detergent that’s fragrance-free and dye-free for at least three to four weeks.

Rewash everything (clothes, sheets, towels) with the new detergent to remove residue from the previous one. Double rinsing may help, due to detergents remaining on clothing even after rewashing in new detergent. Then, keep an eye on your symptoms or lack of. If your skin improves, it’s likely your original detergent was causing the problem.

Do a patch test

If you’re worried about having an allergic reaction to a specific detergent, you can do a small patch test on yourself.

First, dilute the detergent by mixing a small amount of the detergent with water (about a 1:1 ratio). Then, dab a small amount onto a patch of your skin, like on your inner arm or wrist. Cover with a bandage for 24 to 48 hours.

If redness, itching or swelling appears, it’s a strong indicator of a sensitivity to that detergent. However, a dermatologist will do the best job of identifying if you’re reacting to specific ingredients or not.

Talk to a dermatologist

You can ask a dermatologist to perform a professional allergy patch test to identify the specific ingredient causing the reaction.

Adhesive patches containing a small amount of detergent (or its components) will be applied to your skin and monitored over 48 to 72 hours. This will provide more accurate results.

Treating a detergent allergy reaction

If you’ve already been in contact with an allergen and notice symptoms, Dr. Tamburro suggests doing the following:

• Moisturize your skin. If you have dry skin, you may be at a higher risk of contact dermatitis.
• Fight the itch. Avoid scratching as much as you can — which can turn into a vicious cycle. “Itching causes scratching, which causes more itching, which causes more scratching,” Dr. Tamburro warns.
• Use over-the-counter ointments. Ward off scratching before it gets out of hand with over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment or prescribed medications from a doctor or dermatologist.

Changes to make if you have a laundry allergy

Washing your clothes, towels and sheets isn’t something you’ll be skipping. But there are ways to work around your allergy or sensitivity to certain laundry detergents.

Try the following:

• Switch to a hypoallergenic option. Look for products designed for sensitive skin. Scan a detergent’s label to see if it’s fragrance-free, dye-free and/or hypoallergenic.
• Don’t use too much. Read the detergent’s instructions to see the amount recommended for your load size. Doing so may help decrease the amount of residue left on your clothing.
• Rinse your laundry thoroughly. You may want to do an extra rinse cycle. This can help remove detergent residue thoroughly. If you’re washing by hand, make sure you rinse the item completely.

The bottom line

If you notice skin irritation after touching or interacting with your clean laundry, your detergent could be the cause. If you want to know for sure, a dermatologist can test your skin correctly and give you further guidance.

The good news? If you’re allergic or sensitive to your detergent, switching to a fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergent may help keep your skin calm.