Modern man is surrounded by a huge amount of hygiene and cosmetics - soaps and gels for face and body, lotions and shampoos. All of them have a pleasant aroma, foam well, cleanse the skin perfectly. True, not everyone can use them, since for many people they cause severe allergic reactions.
Allergy is a protective reaction of the body to external stimuli. If the skin of your hands is covered with a red rash, it becomes dry, a severe itching appears, think, maybe a new detergent has appeared in your house?
Could there be an allergy to soap?
One of the strongest allergens belonging to the group of household chemicals and hygiene products, according to experts, is soap. Several times a day, a person has to use it. It would seem that such a useful thing cannot harm a person, but this is a delusion. A remedy aimed at cleansing the hands and body can cause a severe reaction in an allergic person.
Allergists argue that such a reaction is quite common. The widespread occurrence of allergies to soap is easily explained. Hygiene products contain a large number of chemical components that easily penetrate through the skin into the bloodstream. A number of synthetic additives and low-quality products cause a reaction to soap, in some cases even to children’s, which many consider completely harmless.
Reaction mechanism
When allergens come in contact with the skin, the first symptoms of the disease begin to develop. This type of reaction is an immediate type. An undetected and unrepaired allergen in time increases the risk of developing severe symptoms, which include dermatoses, Quincke's edema. Significantly less likely to develop anaphylaxis.
Risk group
At risk are usually people with sensitive skin and children. The risk of the disease is noticeably increased in those who suffer from chronic skin diseases, immunity disorders, and various dermatitis. A person who has a reaction to household cleaning products may experience hypersensitivity to soap.
Not all types of soap cause a particularly aggressive skin reaction. Therefore, it is so important to choose and use detergents correctly.
Causes of the disease
Most often, an allergy to soap causes its foam. This is the result of the action of caustic soda - a substance that can negatively affect the upper layers of the epidermis making the hands, for example, defenseless against various infections. Other substances in its composition can also cause allergies to soaps:
- coloring aniline substance;
- metals and semimetals (arsenic and antimony, lead and nickel, cobalt and mercury);
- citric, salicylic and benzoic acids can cause symptoms of the disease;
- an allergy to soap on the hands can be provoked by some types of essential oils that make up it, especially tar tar;
- synthetic fragrance;
- fatty oils (linseed, olive, sea-buckthorn, etc.) can be a threat, they are often added to skin care products and soaps;
- it should be borne in mind that in some types of soap there are bee products, which is absolutely not acceptable for allergy sufferers.
Symptoms of the disease
Allergies to soaps and detergents are widespread in childhood. This is due to the immaturity of the immune system of babies. Probably exacerbation of allergic reactions in stressful situations for a child, for example, during adaptation in child care facilities.
Quite often, the reaction manifests itself in adults with hypersensitivity to the skin. Symptoms are manifested:
- a rash on the face, hands and other parts of the body that come in contact with a detergent;
- severe burning and itching;
- swelling in the arms and on the face may occur; hyperthermia is possible.
Severe symptoms give soap to care for the intimate area. Often, after its use, the allergic person is suppressed by the microflora, pathological processes in the genital area occur. This is dangerous for both partners, since an intimate soap can cause severe allergies.
Soap reaction in children
The most dangerous for children is an allergy to detergents. Photos of one of its manifestations, we posted below. At this age, the symptomatology grows rapidly and requires specific treatment. Many parents, fearing all kinds of infections and trying to protect their child from them in every possible way, use tar and antibacterial soap. Meanwhile, numerous studies of Russian and foreign scientists have proved that, contrary to the antibacterial protection, which is widely advertised, such detergents can cause severe allergic reactions in a child. The risk of disease is increased due to the presence of chemicals such as propyl paraben, triclosan and butyl paraben in the composition of this soap.
Parents need to know that children’s sensitive skin should not be cleaned with soap, all the more so coarse as, for example, household or tarry. Although it does not have synthetic fragrances, allergies to tar soap in children are severe. As a rule, in this case, treatment by a dermatologist is required.
For a child prone to allergic reactions, you should purchase a solution of soap nuts, which can be bought at the pharmacy or Eared Nannies cleaning products.
Which soap is considered the most allergenic?
The most allergenic types of soap are:
Today, very few people use this soap as a personal care product. It is often used for washing clothes - it removes stains well, it is used for other household purposes.
Allergy to laundry soap is quite widespread. Although it contains no dyes or flavors, other dangerous substances for allergy sufferers have been added to it. Silicate, sodium, ash, carbonate - all these substances are contained in this type of soap. Even on the skin of a healthy person, this product negatively affects. The presence of strong active substances provokes skin erosion and dryness.
The most natural soap from all that are sold in stores today. Allergies to tar soap cause a large number of essential oils that make up its composition.
In all types of soap, on the packaging of which the content of the aroma of strawberries and raspberries, apples, etc., is indicated, there is nothing natural. Fragrances are artificial, used to increase sales. Manufacturers paint cubes in various colors, but meanwhile, the paint is also artificial, like the smell.
Is there a safe soap for allergy sufferers?
It is believed that this is a baby soap, although it can not be called a hypoallergenic drug at 100%. It just contains much less harmful substances. It contains no dyes, oils, synthetic flavors that are allergens. Its use is recommended not only for children, but also for people suffering from allergies to detergents on the hands and body.
Selection recommendations
Allergy sufferers need to choose detergents that do not have a bright color and strong smell. This is especially important when purchasing soap for caring for the intimate area. Such funds should be purchased at pharmacies or specialty stores.
The cosmetic line “Dove” and “Eared Nanny” deserves special attention. This is not to say that these types of soaps are completely non-allergenic. But they actually contain a minimum of preservatives. Very gently, without drying the skin and without injuring the lipid layer, the "Eared Nanny" acts. This type of soap is aromatized with natural substances lavender, eucalyptus, grape seed oil, etc.
For patients who are hypersensitive to chemical constituents, the Eared Nanny line may be a good choice.
Diagnostic Features
A serious diagnosis needs an allergy to detergents. Photos of symptoms of the disease with a description are often published by medical publications. Diagnosis involves taking blood from a vein and examining this material. Blood must be donated to an empty stomach. Serious sports and stressful situations should be avoided the day before.
If you are taking any medications, an allergist should know about this before taking the test. After receiving the result and identifying the allergen, treatment is prescribed. Identifying what causes allergies is easy. The occurrence of symptoms is observed, as a rule, after contact with a detergent.
If necessary, the doctor prescribes laboratory tests - a general analysis of urine and blood, as well as tests. Quite easily, you can check at home the reaction to a detergent. To do this, it is enough to apply a small amount of soap on the elbow bend. After 24 hours you can evaluate the result. If redness does not occur, then this remedy can be used.
Treatment
It is extremely important for allergy sufferers to receive first aid in time. In the case of this type of reaction, a person needs to rinse the skin with running water. In addition, the patient is given a drink of a large amount of purified water. Then take enterosorbents and only after that antihistamines. When providing first aid, it is not recommended to use creams and ointments for external use. In most cases, they only worsen the condition of the skin.
On the body and hands, allergies to detergents and ordinary, household and liquid soap (when diagnosed) involve treatment with various ointments and creams. They are prescribed by a dermatologist or allergist. In many publications, you can see photos of allergies to detergents in a weighed form. In this case, more serious treatment with antihistamines is required (Eden, Claritin, Suprastin, Diazolin, etc.).
Enterosorbents (Polysorb, Enterosgel) are prescribed for the rapid elimination of toxins. Contact with soap often causes rashes on the neck, on the arms and face. In this case, topical preparations are prescribed. These include Fenistil, Elokom, hydrocortisone ointment.
You need to know that all the hormonal drugs should be prescribed only by the attending physician, since these drugs can not only harm the body, but also cause addiction. If an allergic reaction to tar tar appears, immediately wash off the suds with water. Only cool water should be used, since hot water can aggravate the symptoms of the disease. Allergy to tar soap requires medical treatment. These are histamine medications prescribed by a doctor. They reduce the general manifestations of an allergic reaction, prevent its further development. In case tar tar got into your eyes, they must be washed with chamomile infusion.
When the symptoms of the disease manifest in the intimate area, a consultation with a gynecologist will be required. This will prevent the development of complications and choose an effective treatment. Intimate soap should be selected colorless, not having a pungent odor.
Physiotherapy
Skin condition physiotherapeutic procedures. Allergists, depending on the condition of the patient, prescribe procedures using electric current of different frequencies. During treatment, electromagnetic rays and ozone can be used. Such treatment gives excellent results in combination with drug therapy.
Prevention
You must understand that any hygienic or cosmetic product can cause allergic reactions in the form of a rash on the face, hands, knees and other parts of the body. Before using this or that personal care product, you should familiarize yourself with its composition.
The presence of dyes, chemicals, perfumes should alert allergy sufferers - they should not be used with such means. Soap and other similar products should be bought only in pharmacies and specialized stores that have quality certificates for products. This is especially important when it comes to funds for children.
Do not trust too widely advertised hypoallergenic drugs. In each case, it is necessary to conduct preliminary testing at home (we wrote above about how to do this). Only in the absence of a negative reaction, soap or any detergent are approved for use.