suggestions for suitable washing powders for children with excema?

[TheApprentice]

My 10 month old ds has dry, excema type patches all over his skin. We are trying different ointments etc, but wondered if the washing powder we currently use (Ecover) is making it worse. Can anyone recommend something they have used successfully?

I know not to use fabric conditioner btw.

Doctor recommended a range from Boots for us (that was a while ago mind, but I think they still do it) and we have also used Surcare (sp?). You can get it in big supermarkets.

Have you tried Fairy? Whatever you use always put them through an extra rinse.

Clear spring is lovely - gentle on skin, and environmentally friendly. And doesn't have that pungent chemical fragrance that so many mainstream products have.

oops, also meant to say that we used to use Ecover, but found the liquid better in all ways than the powder, so that might also be worth thinking about.

Thanks everyone, lots of stuff to try! Also I hadnt thought about an extra rinse but of course that makes sense!

I use Tesco non-bio powder because I suffer bad excema myself.
I tried Soap nuts and found them to be really good on a general wash, but not on bad stains

Do you use any conditioner? If so, don't and use a bit of white vinegar instead. Whilst it won't make it as soft and nice smelling as Conditioner might would, it does work to some extend.
Personally we use Lidls Formil non bio, woprks well for us....BUT it really is a matter of trial and error.
Apparnetly those Ecoballs are meant to be good, but no experience with those myself!

I've been using the lakeland washing ball for dd's bedding and towels ,so no chemicals at all. Its not really powerful enough for clothes though so I use either surcare or asda own brand non-bio but I only use half the amount. And always use extra rinse option on washing machine. I've been using asda sensitive fab softner which I like ,but when her skin is bad I don't use fab softner ,I use the two plastic tumble dryer balls from lakeland instead

I have tried ecoballs in the past and found them ok for general washes but not for stains (like the soapnuts it seems), and ds always has stains on his clothes so thats not really an option! I don't use conditioner (Dh doesnt like it either) and am not particularly worried if clothes are not as soft as they could be - its more important for ds not to get irritated skin!

Thanks again, I will be trying out some of these products.

Message withdrawn

surcare is fine - inc the fabric conditioner

newgirl, I know that wiht us any Conditioners were bringing a flare up, and I also tried the surecare stuff...as I said all down to trial and error, I think!

fair enough 3

i liked ecoballs but they did not last as long as i thought and you cant stuff the machine full

I use Filetti, I used to use Waitrose own brand but Filetti is definitely better for ds eczema.

I would use a powder from a reputable, research-based company.

Another vote for Fairy- though other factors seem more likely to trigger ezcema in my dds. Mostly tiredness and stress. Sleep works best for the spudettes when it comes to their ezcema.

I'm going to try this next

Am using Surcare or Tesco non-bio, which both seem to have least effect on eczema for my ds.

I use soapnuts and find them fine.

I've tried quite a few things now - and found a new little routine which works for us. (Trial and error seems to be the order of the day though !) I use Fairy non-bio on most things, and either double spin the wash - or put it through a plain water wash second. For tough stains etc. I use Vanish the night before a wash which gets most things out, then I do a wash with powder (fairy again) and then another wash with nothing in. I know it sounds like quite alot - but it seems to work for us.
Good luck.

haven't read the whole thread- but DD1 has had severe eczema since birth (now 16) Ecover non bio is fine, Persil non bio has also been fine, those washing balls totally rubbish at cleaning, no better than using nothing!

filetta, surcare, or boots sensitive skin. Liquid seems to be better than powder, plus do an extra rinse . Not been impressed by the cleaning capabilities of the balls!