Four household items that can lead to skin irritation, according to dermatologists

Products with fragrances or dyes are 'frequent causes of skin allergies'

The household items that can cause skin irritation (Stock)

According to dermatologists, spending a majority of our time inside as a result of lockdown has had the benefit of being good for our skin, thanks to the decreased exposure to air pollution.

But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t skin care concerns lurking at home, as seemingly innocuous household items have the potential to wreak havoc on your skin.

To find out what items we should be careful when using, or stop using altogether, we asked dermatologists, who revealed that everything from your choice of bed sheets to your air conditioning unit can be irritating.

“Many everyday exposures in your house can be irritating to skin, especially in anyone prone to eczema or sensitive skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City told The Independent.

As many of us continue to spend more time at home than ever before, these are the household items and ingredients to watch out for.

Detergent

According to Dr Joshua Zeichner, board-certified dermatologist and director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, detergent is a household product frequently behind rashes, irritation or allergies.

Fortunately there are ways to ensure that the clothes washing liquid doesn’t have a negative impact on your skin.

“You must follow the directions on the container,” Dr Zeichner told The Independent. “Putting too much detergent into the washing machine can lead to skin irritation. The process of overdosing increases the risk of detergent molecules becoming trapped within the weave of the fabric. When this comes in contact with the skin, it can lead to rashes.”

The other risk with detergent stems from the frequent inclusion of fragrances and dyes, which Dr Zeichner said are “frequent causes of skin allergies.”

To minimise the risk of an adverse reaction, he recommends fragrance- and dye-free detergents, such as Tide Free and Gentle, which “has a more neutral pH compared to many of its competitors.”

Dr Farber also reiterated the risk associated with detergents, telling us it is useful to look for products that are hypoallergenic and, again, do not contain dyes and fragrances.

“All Free and Clear or Tide Free and Gentle are good options for eczema-prone skin as they do not contain perfumes or dyes,” she said.

The advice also applies to other household cleaning products, which Dr Farber said can “have an alkaline pH which can disrupt the outer layer of skin”.

In addition to considering the ingredients in the products you are buying and using to clean, Dr Farber also recommends wearing gloves “to limit contact with potential allergens.”

Soap

If you’re experiencing skin irritation, it is worth considering the bar of soap or body wash you use in the shower, as the products may be the culprit.

According to Dr Farber, one ingredient to blame may be sulphates, cleansing agents that remove dirt and create lather in shampoos and soap, which have been linked to skin irritation - while fragrances are another possible irritant.

“Soaps are often formulated with sulphates and fragrances, and the former can strip skin and cause dryness, while the latter can cause allergic reactions,” Dr Farber told us. “For washing, choose non-soap cleansers without surfactants or additives.”

She recommends companies such as Vanicream, which makes “gentle formulations without fragrances or preservatives that irritate skin.”

Sheets

Silk sheets are often recommended by haircare experts, but it turns out they can also be beneficial for our skin.

According to Dr Zeichner, the sheets we sleep on each night have the potential to irritate our skin, especially if they are made of synthetic fibres, which “tend to be more rough on the skin and can lead to irritation, loss of hydration, and inflammation.”

Another potential skincare issue linked to sheets is the absorption of dirt and oil, which Dr Farber said can “increase irritation”.

And while she noted that sheets alone can not cause acne breakouts, she said “it can make breakouts worse in anyone who is prone.”

To minimise risks, Dr Farber recommends silk sheets, which “tend to be easier on sensitive or acne-prone skin because they do not absorb oil and debris as easily as other fabrics.”

Dr Zeichner agreed, telling us he recommends sleeping on bed sheets made of natural fibres like cotton, silk, or flannel.

“It is also prudent to wash pillows every few days with hypoallergenic detergent,” Dr Farber added.

Air conditioning

With one of the hottest months of the year upon us, avoiding using an air-conditioning unit may be impossible.

Unfortunately, that means the possibility of skin irritation is increased, as Dr Zeichner confirmed “your air-conditioning system can have a negative impact on your skin.”

“Dry air can cause dry skin and disrupt the outer skin layer,” he explained.

To counteract the lack of humidity in your home caused by the constant blowing of the AC, Dr Zeichner recommends “getting a humidifier in the house and leaving it on while you sleep,” especially if “you have dry skin at baseline”.

“Increasing humidity can actually help keep the skin barrier hydrated while you sleep,” he said, adding that he recommends cool-mist humidifiers over hot steam humidifiers because they are “as effective but safer to use.”

In addition to a humidifier, Dr Farber also recommends not setting thermostats to the most extreme temperatures, whether for cooling or heating.

Over all, if you find yourself experiencing skin irritation, you should consider the household products you use - and seek out the advice of a dermatologist.