Eczema and washing powder

[Cric]

Ds (10 months) has suffered terribly from eczema, after dermatologist referral, creams and diagnose of allergies we seemed to have it under control but last few days looks really sore and is marked out where his clothes are (there is clear skin all around nappy area, looks like white bits when you have a sun tan!) just wondering if it could be washing powder. We have been using the dermatology tested persil ones and no softener. Any suggestions or tell me if I am over thinking it! Thanks!

Could well be. Have you been using the Persil non bio ones? I found some were harsher on DCs skins than others (both have eczema) and Fairy Non Bio was our best bet. Oddly enough, they are fine with Asda's sensitive one too.

Stupid question but do you wash your own clothes in the dame washing powder? It never even occurred to me until a friend pointed out how much we handle the little ones are close to the clothes and can still affect them.

Sorry, *same washing powder, not dame.

I should learn to proofread before posting!

Son is same age with same problem. We use persil non bio on both our clothes but really noticed a difference when we used to baby cycle on the washing machine. It rinses 2/3 times so leaves no residue of detergent on his clothes.

Yes I use the same for ours because of that! Ooooo didn't think of rinsing a few times and will give fairy a try! What is the difference between non bio and bio?? My brother and dad both have sensitive skin and get on well with Ariel but I can never see non bio Ariel?!? Thank you so much for great tips!

We've had similar problems in the past-I now use a Waitrose Sensitive one. It's a non bio one and is unperfumed.

Washing powder is still a major trigger for
Us now ds is almost 8! I use Ecover or method. I recently switched to fairy (ran out and was desperate) and he flared massively. Always extra rinses, never use softeners.

The biggest thing for us was eliminating all sodium laurel and laureth sulfates from products. I still notice his lips flare if we use the wrong toothpaste.

We use Surcare. It's the only brand I've been able to find that isn't perfumed at all.

The one that works for us is Aldis own brand powder! It's called Almat I think. Cheap and works well.

yes, try less detergent, long cycles (occassionally hot ones) and extra rinse.

Some great advice! Thank you everyone

Most of my family can't tolerate bio washing powder. The one I like is Lidl's non-bio liquid.

The only one that works for my daughter is Ecover non bio. We have used it since she was 2 and she is 10 now. Her eczema has pretty much gone now but if we ever try another powder it comes back straight away.

Also, what do you wash LO in? My DSister is allergic to most shampoo and the whole family seems to be allergic to anything Johnsons produce.

everyonetalksaboutpopmusic umm im not surprised, it's full of horrid chemicals!

We basically use a hard soap (faith in nature usually, or an olive oil soap) and any of the more natural plant based shampoos such as faith in nature, lavera- found in most health food shops

We use an emollient in the bath, can't remember what it is called (from dermatologist) and don't wash his hair, just rinse it. I wish I could make it all go away for him!

Hi, I've just seen this thread in active and wanted to say thank you for the idea of extra rinses; my poor dd can't get a break from eczema.

It did ease off a little when I started using method but I guess I have to change everyone's laundry to that otherwise there'll be residue in the machine? I haven't used softener for ages.

Ps meant to say I hope this helps your little one, op

Bio washing powder has enzymes in, that digest stains and muck, and are harsher on skin.

the bio powder = harsher is a myth
it's more likely one of the other many many ingrdients of detergent that skin reacts to.

Ok, so why is it recommended to use non bio instead of bio for sensitive skin? Genuinely curious!

Is that true Purple? Several members of my family, including me can't tolerate Bio. We've always assumed it's the enzymes.

When I was little bio was all my mum would get as anything else would make dads skin flare and so it has always confused me !!

My DS had horrendous eczema on his body but his skin was perfectly fine in the nappy area which made me investigate washing powder as I realised the eczema was where his clothes were in contact with his skin. Four months ago we switched to Surcare which is a washing powder designed for eczema sufferers (they sell it in our local Sainsbury's) and also set the washing machine to do an extra rinse cycle on his clothes. Within a couple of weeks the eczema cleared up and has not come back since, for the last two months we've not had to use creams or bath emollient at all.

Marsmission, thanks for sharing, that is amazing !

Hi all, we've used fairy non bio for years as DS and I have both had flare ups with other brands. Seems fairy have changed their ingredients as the new capsules have a really overpowering scent
DH is in charge of washing so he's been experimenting with rinses etc (until we get to the end of the pack then we'll try some of the ace suggestions for alternatives PPs have given). Best and quickest thing to get rid of the smell so far is to do a normal cycle then an express wash cycle with no detergent afterwards - takes 25 mins rather than an extra hour or so for a cycle with more rinses. Depending on your washing machine might be worth trying that too.