Can You Have an Allergic Reaction to Laundry Detergent?

It’s reasonable to assume you’re having an allergic reaction when you develop a rash. However, it may not be clear what’s causing it, especially if you haven’t come in contact with anything out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, making contact with your clothes could be the reason for your irritation.

The last thing you’d think is irritating your skin is the products you use to clean your clothes. Find out if you can have an allergic reaction to laundry detergent and ways to prevent it.

What Does an Allergy to Laundry Detergent Look Like?

Laundry detergent allergies typically appear as itchy, red rashes with ill-defined borders. They don’t necessarily indicate an allergy to a particular brand, but can indicate an allergy to a certain ingredient. When you wear clothes washed in something you’re allergic to, your body experiences a reaction known as contact dermatitis.

True laundry detergent allergies are rare. Instead, most cases of detergent-related allergic reactions are due to allergies to a laundry detergent ingredient and take the form of allergic contact dermatitis. These allergic reactions start gradually and worsen after each subsequent exposure.

If your reaction has appeared suddenly, you’re likely experiencing irritant contact dermatitis, where harsh chemicals damage the skin’s outer layer. These reactions have clear borders, highlighting the affected area.

More severe cases can lead to allergic eczema, which appears as dry patches that may blister, become scaly, or crack. Allergic reactions to laundry detergent may even lead to respiratory issues.

Common Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Detergent

• Red rash with ill-defined borders
• Itching
• Blisters filled with fluid
• Bumps
• Dry, cracking, or scaly skin
• Swelling
• Burning or stinging

What Causes Laundry Detergent Allergies?

Laundry detergent allergies typically appear through allergic contact dermatitis, where an allergic reaction occurs when the allergen touches the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis requires sensitization, where the immune system is introduced to a certain allergen and develops a sensitivity to it.

While the allergen in question can be any ingredient, some are the culprits more often than not. It’s also helpful to note that allergies can come about with repeated exposure to the allergen. So, just because you’ve never had an issue with a detergent you use, that doesn't mean you can't develop an allergy to it.

Fragrances

Fragrances are a common cause of allergies. They’re often included to make your clean clothes smell fresh, but they can sometimes do more harm than good. Fragrances contain a mix of chemicals, so there’s sometimes no telling which chemical is triggering an allergic response. This mix can contain phthalates, chemical compounds found in laundry detergent that can worsen allergies. 

These compounds make artificial fragrances last longer and alter the detergent’s consistency, but phthalates have been associated with contact dermatitis in some individuals.

Manufacturers don’t need to disclose their use of phthalates or any fragrance ingredient, for that matter. They typically only list “fragrance” on their list of ingredients, so it’s difficult to know what chemical you could be reacting to. For this reason, it’s best to avoid detergents with fragrance altogether.

Dyes

Dyes are known triggers for allergic contact dermatitis. They are often used for cosmetic purposes, but they’re also used in many traditional laundry detergents to make white clothes appear whiter. Modern detergents have shifted to synthetic dyes called optical brighteners to achieve the same effect.

While many companies are transitioning to a dye-free formula, look for a product that specifies it to avoid a potential allergen. For example, Freddie laundry sheets don’t include dyes in the ingredients, making them a great alternative to many traditional detergents.

Surfactants

Surfactants, or surface-active agents, are cleaning substances used in laundry detergents. They lift dirt and oils from your clothes and attach them to the water to ensure they are rinsed when the washer is drained.

Some surfactants are harsh and strip the skin of its oils, allowing dryness and irritation. Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate are common surfactants used in laundry detergents that can cause an allergic reaction.

Preservatives

Preservatives are used in laundry detergents to help them last longer. They help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, but unfortunately, they have a history of causing allergic contact dermatitis.

Formaldehyde is a common allergen found in several household products, including laundry detergent. This preservative is an antibacterial agent used in detergents. In addition to causing allergic reactions, formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen and can irritate your eyes and respiratory system.

Parabens are a common preservative used in laundry detergent to prevent bacteria and mold growth. However, parabens have been linked with health risks such as endocrine disruption and allergic reactions.

Quats

Fabric softeners, or quats, are often used in conjunction with laundry detergent, which is formulated to make clothes feel softer after washing. Both fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats, that help kill bacteria and soften fabrics.

Repeated quat exposure is associated with allergic contact dermatitis and respiratory issues. Quat-free alternatives, such as dryer balls, can help keep your clothes soft without the harmful additives.

Treating Detergent Rash: Home and Over-the-Counter Remedies

• Hydrocortisones are steroid cream that calms your body’s immune response to inflammation.
• Antihistamines relieve allergy symptoms and itching.
• Calamine lotion relieves itching, pain, and discomfort.
• Oatmeal baths soothe irritated skin.
• Wet compresses soothe inflamed skin.
• Cool showers can help calm burning sensations.

How Long Does It Take for an Allergic Reaction to Laundry Detergent To Go Away?

The duration of an allergic reaction varies by person. Most people fully recover 1-2 weeks after getting rid of the detergent at fault and thoroughly washing all clothing and bedding. More severe reactions may take longer to recover from and may need treatment.

To treat allergic reactions successfully, you must identify the allergen and avoid it. Using the above treatments may also speed up recovery.

6 Tips To Prevent Allergic Reactions From Laundry

Eliminate One Product at a Time

If you’re struggling with allergic contact dermatitis, you might want to clear out the house of every possible culprit. However, doing so would be counterproductive. If you throw out all of your household cleaning products, it’ll be much less likely to find the one responsible for the outbreaks.

Instead, slowly remove one product at a time and see if your allergic reactions lessen. If not, you can probably keep that product. Then, remove another one and repeat. While this process will take some time, and your allergies could possibly get worse, you’ll be able to figure out exactly what is irritating your skin.

Consider trying an alternative detergent from your usual go-to; Freddie laundry sheets are clinically tested for skin irritation and are formulated without harmful chemicals such as phosphates, brighteners, parabens, dyes, and 1,4-dioxane.

Use Dryer Balls

Fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain quats that help kill bacteria and soften fabrics. Unfortunately, these chemical compounds can also cause skin irritation and trigger allergies. Dryer balls are alternatives to traditional fabric softeners. Typically made from wool, these quat-free spheres help soften your clothes without irritants.

Perform a Patch Test

Before using a new detergent, perform a patch test to see how your body responds.

Clean and dry the area you’ll be testing. Apply a small amount of laundry detergent to the area. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, a reaction should occur within 24 hours. If you experience any symptoms of a reaction, wash the area off immediately.

Use Less Detergent

If you’re using too much detergent, there’s a chance that some is being left on your clothes. Using more detergent sounds like it’s doing a better job at cleaning, but it’s actually doing the opposite. Overusing detergent hurts your bank account, your clothes, and your washer. Your washer will have to do more work to rinse the detergent; even then, there will likely be residue on your clothes.

Using less detergent can allow your clothes to rinse more thoroughly. If the detergent isn’t rinsed completely, the chemicals of the detergent can linger on your clothes and cause allergic reactions. In general, only 1-2 tablespoons of detergent are needed per load, but consult your garment labels for directions.

Wash New Clothes

Manufacturers often add finishers to their clothing to improve their appearance in stores, and other chemicals to prevent wrinkling while shipping. Unfortunately, these chemicals can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.

In addition, clothes can also carry fragrances, either from past owners or people trying them on in-store. These fragrances could cause allergic reactions if an allergen has lingered. Washing your new clothes before you wear them can remove these irritating chemicals and reduce the chances of an allergic reaction.

Rinse Twice

Laundry detergent tends to cling to clothes if it’s not thoroughly rinsed, and one rinse cycle may not be enough. Consider two rinse cycles to wash out more detergent residue and reduce buildup. This residue can cause allergic reactions if left unaddressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Rash Can You Get From Laundry Detergent?

A detergent rash is typically red, itchy, and inflamed, and normally appears on areas in direct contact with the detergent. It can escalate to blisters and bumps that can crust and ooze. Swelling can also occur, as well as cracked or scaly skin.

Why Does My Laundry Detergent Make Me Itch Down There?

You’re likely reacting to an irritant or allergen in your laundry detergent. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when an irritant comes in contact with the skin and damages the outer layer. To alleviate the issue, avoid detergents with harsh chemicals.

Final Thoughts

True laundry detergent allergies may be rare, but that doesn’t mean they can’t cause allergic reactions. Knowing what ingredient you’re allergic to can save you a world of hurt. Switch to detergents with less harsh chemicals to reduce your chances of another outbreak.

Freddie laundry detergent sheets offer a different way to wash your clothes. While being plastic-jug-free, our sheets are also designed to clean your clothes without bleach, dyes, phosphates, 1,4-dioxanes, or parabens. We even offer a fragrance-free option for sensitive skin.