All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
If you have eczema, you might already steer clear of creams that send off a stench when you barely crack open the lid, or heavy makeup products that make you look like a TikTok filter IRL. But if you’re still pawing at raw rashes, try poking around your house for other potential bad guys: specifically, household cleaners.
The detergents, sprays, and soaps that you use around your home often contain ingredients that can dry out or seriously irritate your skin—which is a big problem if yours is already super sensitive, according to the National Eczema Society. “People with eczema have an impaired skin barrier,” George Han, MD, a dermatologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, tells SELF. This is a protective layer that keeps good things (like moisture) contained while blocking out not-so-good stuff (like bacteria and harsh chemicals). When it’s permeable, that’s when problems start to go down.1
Most eczema triggers are typically categorized in two ways: either those that cause irritant contact dermatitis (direct contact with a substance is causing general irritation), or those that cause allergic contact dermatitis (your body is having an allergic reaction to a substance).2 While the former accounts for most flare-ups, the latter ties into having an overactive immune system. Many people with eczema might react strongly to a substance before it even penetrates their skin or even a few days after the fact—which, naturally, can make things pretty confusing when you’re trying to nail down a culprit.2
As Raj Chovatiya, MD, assistant professor and director of the Center for Eczema and Itch at Northwestern University, tells SELF, not all folks with eczema have the same triggers, let alone the same symptoms. If your skin care routine has been working for you but you’re suddenly at war with your epidermis, browse through your kitchen and bathroom for clues—there’s a chance something else is bugging you. Here, dermatologists share five household products that can trigger eczema flare-ups.
Look at your laundry detergent first, Dr. Han says. Your clothes and sheets are doused in it, and therefore your entire body is exposed to the stuff. He notes that a fragrance-free detergent made for sensitive skin is usually the way to go, including All Free Clear for Sensitive Skin and Tide Free and Gentle. (You can also check out a list of the National Eczema Association’s recommendations here.) Beyond strong scents, Dr. Han says that other detergent and fabric softener ingredients to be cautious of include the preservatives methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, and any type of dye.
Unsure if your detergent is to blame? Look at where your flares pop up. “If the eczema tends to be localized to one part of the body, such as your neck or eyelids,” then another culprit might be at fault, Dr. Han says. “But if it’s all over the skin, we should definitely consider the detergent.”
Sorry, #CleanTok fans, but there’s a chance your go-to disinfectant is packed with preservatives and fragrances that’ll make your skin scream, Dr. Han says. That’s especially true if they contain bleach, ammonia, surfactants (a.k.a. ingredients meant to break up dirt, like sulfates), and antibacterial agents, which can wreak havoc on anyone’s skin—let alone skin that’s super vulnerable to begin with. You’ll probably see irritation directly on your hands if your go-to cleaner is fueling your flare-ups, Dr. Han says, or any other spot your skin is coming into contact with a surface that’s cleaned (say, your wrists on your desk as you’re typing at a laptop).
Again, the National Eczema Association’s directory of product faves can be helpful here, but wearing gloves can stop harsh chemicals from reaching your skin as you clean, Dr. Chovatiya says. Avoid rubber gloves (which can sometimes worsen irritation if your skin doesn’t like latex) and opt for unlined, loose-fitting vinyl gloves with a little extra breathability. If sweat triggers your eczema, try wearing thin cotton gloves under the vinyl ones to keep moisture from building up.
According to Dr. Chovatiya, many common hand soaps “contain chemical detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate,” which can strip the skin of natural substances (like oils) that keep it hydrated and healthy.4 Without these oils, your skin can quickly lose moisture, which makes it a lot more susceptible to irritation, according to Dr. Han. Lots of soaps contain potentially aggravating fragrances too.
You shouldn’t skip hand washing if you have eczema—after all, it helps protect you from getting sick and spreading germs to others. Instead, make sure you’re sudsing up with a fragrance-free and (ideally) moisturizing soap. Rinsing your hands with cool water can also help, as hot water can sometimes strip away those protective oils too. The second you’re done washing, Dr. Han suggests applying a gentle, fragrance-free hand cream to lock in hydration while your skin is still damp.
Don’t forget about dish soap, especially ones designed to cut grease! That’s because when you wash dishes by hand, you’re probably scrubbing down your skin’s protective barrier too. When scrubbing pots and pans, slip on loose-fitting vinyl gloves to minimize contact with soap and water.
Here’s a sneaky eczema trigger: Exposure to airborne particles from home fragrances (think air fresheners and candles) can have a similar effect as soaps and detergents for some people, says Dr. Han. “Just as your body reacts to a substance coming into contact with [it], an aerosolized form of the same substance can actually impact your skin. It’s the same type of reaction,” he explains.
The location of your eczema can sometimes clue you in to this possibility, says Dr. Han: Look for irritation all over your body. “If a lotion, makeup, or soap product is to blame, there would be a more localized reaction, because they’re exposed to certain areas,” he explains. (A localized reaction is what it sounds like: The symptoms show up on a specific, contained part of the body.) “Depending on the person, airborne-induced reactions may be milder than those caused by direct contact, but more severe reactions are certainly possible,” explains Dr. Han, adding that flare-up intensity could rise if you came into contact with a lot of it (say, a room-refreshing spray versus a candle) or you breathed it in.
If you suspect a household item is causing your eczema flare-ups, consider cutting it from your rotation for a few days or weeks, says Dr. Chovatiya. If your symptoms get better, there’s a good chance that detergent, dish soap, or funky new candle could be to blame. If you’re still stuck, reach out to your dermatologist ASAP—they can test you for skin allergies (if you haven’t already gone through this process) or help adjust your treatment plan. The itching might feel relentless, but it won’t last forever.
Sources:
- British Journal of Dermatology, Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization in Atopic Eczema and Its Association With Filaggrin Gene Mutations
- Acta Clinica Croatica, Irritant and Allergic Contact Dermatitis—Skin Lesion Characteristics
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Pharmacotherapy of Itch—Antihistamines and Histamine Receptors as G Protein-Coupled Receptors
- Molecules, Skin Cleansing Without or With Compromise: Soaps and Syndets
Related: