June 26, 2014
3 Household Products That can Cause Contact Dermatitis
At Greenapple House Cleaning, we pride ourselves in using only natural, green products that are as healthy for you as they are for the environment. We know, though, that many households throughout Canada don’t consider this an important stance.
We’re here to tell you it is. Why? Green products not only protect our world, but they protect us as well. Many of those normal household cleaners contain chemicals and agents that can cause nasty side effects, one of which is contact dermatitis.
What is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin comes in contact with something that it reacts negatively toward. There are two kinds of contact dermatitis you should know about.
- Irritant contact dermatitis- This kind of dermatitis is caused by an irritant, or something that a person’s skin is sensitive to.
- Allergic contact dermatitis- This type of contact dermatitis occurs when an individuals comes in contact with an allergen.
Determining whether contact dermatitis is caused by an allergen or an irritant can be hard, because they both often result in the same symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Some symptoms are:
- Itching
- Rash
- Warm or hot to the touch skin
- Redness and swelling
- Itchy blisters or bumps that might ooze fluid
- Peeling or cracking of the skin
When individuals first come in contact with the allergen or irritant, they may not experience symptoms for up to 10 days after. With each reintroduction of the irritant or allergen, however, the symptoms will appear more quickly and may be more severe. The length of time in which the skin touches the allergen or irritant can increase the severeness of the reaction as well.
What Household Products can Cause Contact Dermatitis?
There are a variety of household cleaners that can cause contact dermatitis to occur, but the most likely to affect you on a regular basis are:
- Laundry Detergents and Fabric Softeners- Many of your favorite laundry detergents and fabric softeners can cause contact dermatitis due to the chemicals that are used to create them. Those chemicals often remain on the clothing after being washed, making it easy for them to come in contact with your skin. Stay safe by keeping things green with these tips.
- Soaps- Soaps, even the bar soap you though was safe, can cause an irritating rash if you’re sensitive to the chemicals and fragrances used to make them. Choose soaps made from natural substances and avoid those with fragrances. Remember, just because you didn’t have a reaction the first time you used it, doesn’t mean your skin won’t become sensitive over time.
- Household Cleaners- Household cleaners are often made with chemicals for a reason- to get rid of germs, cut down grease, and do away with dirt. The problem is, they aren’t good for the environment, your health, or your skin. Instead of using these home cleaning products, stick to all-natural solutions, like vinegar, baking soda, and water.
At Greenapple House Cleaning, we want you to be happy and healthy and your home to be spotless. Give us a chance to prove to you just how brilliant green home cleaning can be.
