Mumsnet Talk

So, after years of ds being eczema free, I thought I would try Fairy Non-Bio - what with it being marketed as especially kind to delicate skin and all that... and half the price of Filletti, our usual powder. Hey presto - ds is covered in a dry, eczema type rash. So, not only have I wasted money on a powder we can't use, but I'll have to wash his entire wardrobe again - in Filletti - in the hope that it will help get rid of the rash. Am unhappy bunny.

Willow - your poor ds!
My ds has a sensitivity to Fairy and some other detergents - my dSIL has used our machine recently and I found that after she used it I needed to run an empty load (or a load of only adult clothes) before doing any of ds's washing or it was contaminated enough to irritate his skin! (Although I suspect dSIL may be over-generous with her washing powder measure).

Dh made the mistake of using some of the Fairy from our bounty pack. Brought him out in a really nasty rash that lasted over a week (he does have eczema but thought non-bio marketed at babies would be OK). Haven't used it since which is just as well ... ds developed eczema too

cant use fairy either. we used to be ok with ariel non bio but they changed the formula recently resulting in dd breaking out all over her legs are ripping them to shreds. so we have tried persil non bio, which was bad for her a few years ago but they must have changed formula as well as now its ok.

persil non-bio is fine for my ds - don't dare try anything else now!

bluebear, thats what i was like when ariel non bio worked for us. i was over the moon as everything else resulted in a scratchy baby. so was so upset when they bought in 'quickwash action' and it seemed to make dd1 so much worse. so persil non-bio for us atm.

Persil non-bio white liquid seems to be OK for ds1, who still gets horrible red itchy patches at 15. I always used to use Surcare but it doesn't wash as well.

I have the impression that liquids are less irritating than powders - does anyone know if this is true or just an illusion?

Surcare brought ds out in a rash from top to toe. I was so worried I took him to A&E where a very unimpressed nurse suggested it might be due to the fact I'd changed washing powder. Now we stick to Fairy non-bio and it is fine (I only use a little, about 1/3 the recommended dose).

i use about 1/2 the recommended dose, except for nappies for dd2 which get a full dose.

btw does anyone with ezcema kids run a empty load with a dose of bio washing powder to get rid of cream residues on the machine. i was told the creams can rot the rubber door seal and u should do this at least once a week. i think i've managed to do it twice since hearing this info, but should i really do it?

DS2 isn't really prone to eczema but he does react to Comfort Pure. He seems OK with Tescos own brand Pure (and Tescos non-bio tablets).

They don't list ingredients on washing powders etc do they? Why don't they?? It's impossible to tell what causes a reaction.

soupie, they do have vague ingredients but they'd probably have to be incredibly specific to pin things down - perfume is supposed to be a trigger and they'll all use different ones.

Trial and error is the only way really and even then they sometimes become sensitive to something that was OK before. I have been using Tesco Pure fabric rinse and it seemed OK, but ds1's is worse lately so I've gone back to washing his separately with just Surcare rinse to see if it helps.

haven't dared try fabric conditioner - would love to use some on towels though.... any recommendations (especially from my fellow Persil users - in case it's the same ingrediant that's causing the symptoms).

I would try Surcare to begin with - Tesco have it, not sure about Sainsburys. It has *no* scent I think, so should be quite a safe bet. Most of the "Pure" ones are scented, though not as strongly as the ordinary ones.

I only put half a cap in with towels - they need to be a bit crunchy or they're less absorbent.

Has anyone tried Ecover washing powder. Ds recently developed eczema but have always used this, I don't think the powder is to blame. ?a 'baby phase' he is going through. Do tend to use 1/3 of the amount they recommend though.

JJ, skin with a tendency to contact dermatitis/atopic eczema can flare up any time without anything changing. So you could try something different for a bit and then go back to Ecover.

Or - I still cling to the idea that liquids are less irritating - Ecover do a liquid, don't they?

Willow that's so weird. I had bad eczema for years, got rid of it with chinese herbs about 12 years ago and it has recently come back.

After a few months of buying Persil for me and dh and Fairy for dd I got fed up and started using fairy for all of us. My skin has been much worse in the past few months, I had never thought of it, just thought maybe the glandular fever etc had made my eczema return.

Will change back and see if it helps.

I am allergic to ecover if it is any help

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Misdee...
I think you would notice if the emmolients were still in the machine or even the seal....run your fingers over it and you will feel it!
The machine drum is greasy feeling, although our seal is ok.....! However, washing on empty at 95 degrees still does not seem to shift mine, but I am using a lot of diprobase ointment. I have taken to hand rinsing everything about 10 times with soda crystals before washing, which seems to be having an effect.....

Has anybody tried the 'Wash-It Laundry Ball' from Lakeland? I was thinking about getting one as we use the more pricey sensitive washing liquids due to eczema in the family, and thought if this ball actually worked it would be a good alternative.
It is meant to work with 'pellets inside the ball that activate water molecules, producing electrolyte oxygen and hydrogen ions which lift dirt out. No detergent residue etc but would it really work?

Filletti - were can i get this from - and how much is it???

We used to get Filetti from Sainsburys many years ago.

We get Filletti from Waitrose or Sainsburys - look for a pink packet with a baby on the front!

i've always wondered bout those wash balls too. do they work?

Mother-in-law uses ecover - when I was having dd, MIL 'helpfully' took ds's laundry to her house and washed/dried it (I know she meant well but she didn't even ask) - I came home and had to sniff all of his clothes to sort out what needed re-washing.... didn't let him wear any.. couldn't have coped with new baby and ds in pain.