Washing Powder or liquid and sensitive skin

Anne_Marie_2

Really hard one to deal with. It does all depend on trying out one thing at a time with allergies.

Washing clothes - definitely go for a non bio. Suggest you ask companies to send samples rather than buying full sized boxes.
I was a bit silly as I have really sensitive skin - was washing family clothes in "normal powder/tablets".
Finally dawned on me why I was still having reactions - touching or cuddling - washing done with something am allergic to for a start.......then cuddling up - allergic to OH or DD, was what I had washed clothes in.

brummiebabe

Both my DSs have sensitive skin - definately try non-bio - we have used tesco's own powder (reasonably priced) and persil non-bio. Tried Fairy (liquid) but works out more expensive.

For me - I've found that using Comfort pure conditioner helps - if I use anything else, it irritates.

Also, try putting your DD's clothes on an extra rinse cycle (if your machine has one!) and be careful not to use too much powder - I've been told I had been using 2 x as much as I should be!!!!!

Best of luck!!

FTB83

I have had sensitive skin from birth and finding something gentle enough has been trial and error for my Mum since then - I use only Fairy non-bio, it is the only one that doesn't irritate my skin.

On the issue of triggers for skin irritation (I have eczema), when I was ten or so, I (or rather my Mum) tried cutting out Monosodium glutamate completely. It is also sometimes called Flavour Enhancer E621 and appears in many crisps, stock cubes, gravies, sausages and burgers, most chinese food, and other savoury bits and bobs. I still have the odd outbreak when stressed, but that's it. It is really worth a try just to see how you get on.

Hope this helps,

FTB83

FTB83

Ooh, another thing is lanolin. I know this is quite a common allergy. Lanolin is the oil from sheep's wool and is used in loads of cosmetics and creams. I see someone has suggested trying oilatum in the bath - my doctor prescribed this and my skin was a mess for weeks - it contains lots of lanolin as this is the emoliant. Use cautiously to begin with to make sure it doesn't have any effect.

FTB83

Anne_Marie_2

Really is try things out to see what works.
Lanolin is an absolute no for me, but might be okay with someone else.
Total case of trial and error.
It does take a long time, lots of reading, as you might not take in what doctor has said - you might have, but someone else who is anxious might not.

My basics are -
Aqeuos cream
Diprobase
Dermaguard or Dermashield - skin protection. Using either has helped me. Unfortunately they are not cheap...not sure if you can get them on NHS.

kal25

Hi has she had any allergy tests at all? My son had a small bit of eczema start about 2yrs ago around easter. Creams,anti biotics ,nothing would work. It was awful as he was only 4yrs old and looked like he'd been burnt all on his face and body.Ended up sending him to dermatologist again he was given cream.After it had calmed down they did allergy tests and found he is allergic to Grass!! As you can imagine this causes many problems especially in summer.But I do wash his clothes in non-bio I have eczema as well so use this for whole family anyway. However, due to his allergy I cannot put his clothes outside to dry.Especially not his bedding for obvious reasons.
Maybe you could try tumble drying her clothes without the bounce and just see if it calms down.But I would ask if it is possible to have an allergy test as if you can find the trigger, it is slighty easier to handle. However she may need her skin calmed down a bit first as obviously they need to be able to tell the reaction to the test. Sorry for going on but hope this helps and I feel for you not knowing what to do, as I said above I was the same. Hope your dd feels better soon.

filigree_2

You might have thought of this already but when you find a washing powder that suits your daughter, you will need to use it for every wash and not just her clothes. A friend of mine couldn't use the launderette because the machines were "contaminated" with strong detergents.

Have you tried soapnuts? There is a thread on this board about them if you search. I haven't tried them but other people seem keen on them and they are supposed to be mild on sensitive skins. The only problem I foresee is that they might not be strong enough to cope with incontinence problems. Perhaps you could ask for a sample pack and see how you get on.

Nicki

Thanks for all your advice. The only non bio they had in my local little shop was the Persil non-bio so I have bought a small box of this. and am rewashing her clothes in it as we speak. I will give them an extra rinse too. We don't have a garden and live in built up area so I don't think grass or pollen polution will be a problem so I'll line dry but might give them 10 mins on high in TD with no bounce just to soften them up a bit more. I'll cut out all soaps as well and keep using the cream which has been prescribed and see whether there is any improvement in a few days time. If not, I'll move on to the next non-bio and see how I get on. May try Surcare next as it looks like it may be non-perfumed too. I do have acqueous cream and diprobase in the house too so may try them on the patch on her face which has just come up as the prescription cream is apparently not suitable for use on the face.

I'll ask about allergy tests next time I see dermatologist which is beginning Sep.

Thanks for all your tips. Can't think why I didn't ask about this on here before.

lynzpower

Id try something like Ecover ( tescos are doing thier own version of ecover now I saw) I have dry excema and it doesnt flare that at all.

Chipps

We have a similar problem in this house, & both Aldi & Lidl's non-bio is fine for us.
Fabric conditioners & highly perfumed shower gels also can be a problem.
My DD uses Fairy non bio for her babies' clothes - well, and the rest of their washing of course - as she and her 2yoDD also have this problem. (she was ok with the cheaper stuff when she lived here!!!!)