Answer:

Your laundry detergent may smell like morning DEW or spring rain, but chances are, it’s packed with some pretty serious chemicals. It’s not UNCOMMON for people to experience adverse skin reactions to the ingredients in standard detergents.

Fragrances, PRESERVATIVES, dyes, and other chemicals in laundry detergent can cause rashes in both children and adults.

Laundry detergents can trigger a condition called contact dermatitis, which presents as a red, itchy rash that may be widespread or confined to specific AREAS like the armpits and groin.

Allergies or sensitivities to laundry detergent can develop the first time you’re exposed or after repeated exposures. Most people can prevent laundry detergent rashes by using fragrance- and dye-free detergents.

Common causes

Allergens

Laundry detergents contain a variety of potentially irritating ingredients.

Like most soaps, detergents contain some type of surfactant, or surface-acting agent. Surfactants work by loosening dirt and oil particles and allowing them to be washed away. Harsh surfactants can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.

Artificial fragrances are another broad category of chemicals that can cause skin rashes and irritations. Companies that make laundry detergents TYPICALLY use proprietary blends of fragrances, making it difficult for customers to know exactly what’s in them.

Other common allergens found in laundry detergents include:

preservatives

enzymes

parabens

colors and dyes

moisturizers

fabric softeners

thickeners and solvents

emulsifiers

Allergies to mild allergens, like