Why am I suddenly allergic to soap

[Ceriane]

A few months back I started to get really sore, itchy swollen hands with a rash. I had been using a green hand soap that contained aloe vera. It wasn’t one I normally use. I put it down to that and stopped using it. Not long after I noticed other soaps seemed to irritate and seriously dry out my hands. I’m well into my 30s and have never had a problem with hand soaps before. I’ve been using pure soap ever since and recently I started to get irritation after washing my hands. What am I going to wash my hands with if I’m allergic to everything and after lockdown when I go out, I’m scared to use the hand soaps in toilets etc... but I can’t not wash my hands. Worried it could cause anaphylaxis. The hand irritation is quite severe!!! Don’t know what to do???? Any help?

Although it is annoying I think that some allergies can start at any time.

Have you got a good hand cream to help to heal your hands and have you tried a soap like Aleppo? The Euracin hand creams are pretty good.

You have my sympathy though. I can only wash my hands with M&S hand wash and even then not ever scent or Aleppo soap.

Ahh thank you so much. I will try that! 😊xx

Have you also been using hand gels at all?

I cannot use them at all as my skin comes out in tiny very painful cuts.

Maybe you have used a gel and then a soap and the two might not love each other.

Possibly.

Bio d do very pure stuff, bit more than normal stuff, try them, health food shops or online

Check soap ingredients. Skin dryness and irritation is usually caused by sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide which are commonly found in soaps.

Thank you. I’m just worried about when I’m out, ie the hand soap in the toilets. I can find one I’m safe with at home.

Ceriane, buy a tiny travel one to use when out

Thank you 🙏

I have that and it began in my 30’s as well. I find Simple Soap is fine or any organic soap. However, organic soaps can be expensive. If Simple Soap works for you it’s not expensive. I carry my soap with me in my bag everywhere I go so that I’m not caught out and have to use any old thing.

Thank you. Do you carry a bar around with you or a liquid form (as that would be easier to carry around with me). I think that is what I'm going to have to end up doing, carrying a bag with my own soap, hand sanitiser and moisturiser that I'm okay with everywhere I go.

Hi@ceriane
I carry liquid simple soap but sometimes a bar, also hand gel and organic or Simple moisturiser.

Thank you. I’m going to start doing this. 😊
Does it get messy/gammy when you carry a bar though?