Modern man is surrounded by a huge amount of hygiene and cosmetic products - soaps and gels for face and body, lotions and shampoos. All of them have a pleasant aroma, foam well, perfectly cleanse the skin. True, not everyone can use them, since in 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, there is a strong itch, think maybe a new detergent has appeared in your house?
Could you be allergic to soap?
One of the strongest allergens belonging to the group of household chemicals and hygiene products, according to experts, is soap. A person has to use it several times a day. It would seem that such a useful thing cannot harm a person, but this is a delusion. A tool aimed at cleansing the hands and body can cause a severe allergy in an allergic person.reaction.
Allergists say that this reaction is quite common. The widespread allergy to soap is easily explained. Hygiene products contain a large number of chemical components that easily penetrate the skin into the bloodstream. A number of synthetic additives and low-quality products cause reactions to soap, in some cases even to baby soap, which many consider to be completely harmless.
Reaction mechanism
When allergens come into contact with the skin, the first symptoms of the disease begin to develop. This type of reaction is referred to as an immediate type. An allergen that has not been identified and eliminated in time increases the risk of developing severe symptoms, which include dermatoses, Quincke's edema. Anaphylaxis develops much less frequently.
Risk group
The risk group usually includes people with sensitive skin and children. There is a marked increase in the risk of disease in those who suffer from chronic skin diseases, immune disorders, and various dermatitis. A person who has a reaction to household chemicals may experience a hypersensitivity to soap.
Not all of his soaps cause a particularly aggressive skin reaction. Therefore, it is so important to choose and use detergents correctly.
Causes of disease development
Most often allergic to soap is caused by 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 hands, for example, defenseless against variousinfections. Allergy to soap can also be caused by other substances that make up its composition:
- aniline dye;
- metals and semimetals (arsenic and antimony, lead and nickel, cob alt and mercury);
- citric, salicylic and benzoic acids can cause symptoms of the disease;
- Allergy to soap on hands can be provoked by some types of essential oils included in its composition, especially tar soap;
- synthetic fragrance;
- fatty oils (linseed, olive, sea buckthorn, etc.) can pose a threat and are often added to facials and soaps;
- be aware that some types of soap contain bee products, which is absolutely not acceptable for allergy sufferers.
Symptoms of disease
Allergies to soaps and detergents are common in childhood. This is due to the immaturity of the immune system of babies. Probably exacerbation of allergic reactions in stressful situations for the child, for example, during adaptation in children's institutions.
Quite often the reaction occurs in adults with skin hypersensitivity. Symptoms appear:
- rashes on the face, hands and other parts of the body that come into contact with the detergent;
- severe burning and itching;
- swelling may occur in the hands and on the face; possible hyperthermia.
Severe symptoms give soap for the care of the intimate area. Often after its use in an allergic person, the microflora is suppressed, pathological processes occur.in the sexual area. This is dangerous for both partners, since intimate soap can cause severe allergies.
Reaction to soap in children
The most dangerous for children is an allergy to detergents. We posted a photo of one of its manifestations below. At this age, the symptoms increase rapidly and require mandatory specific treatment. Many parents, fearing all kinds of infections and trying in every possible way to protect their child from them, use tar and antibacterial soap. Meanwhile, numerous studies by Russian and foreign scientists have proven that, despite the antibacterial protection, which is widely advertised, such detergents can cause severe allergic reactions in a child. There is an increased risk of disease due to the presence of chemicals such as propylparaben, triclosan and butyl paraben in this soap.
Parents need to know that children's sensitive skin should not be cleaned with soap, especially such rough soap as, for example, household or tar soap. Although it does not have synthetic fragrances, tar soap allergy in children is severe. As a rule, in this case, treatment by a dermatologist is required.
For a child who is prone to allergic reactions, you should purchase a soap nut solution, which can be bought at a pharmacy, or “Eared Nanny” detergents.
Which soap is considered the most allergenic?
The most allergenic soaps are:
Laundry soap
Today, very few people use this soap as a personal care product. It is more often used for washing clothes - it removes stains well, it is used for other household purposes.
Allergy to laundry soap is quite common. Although it does not contain dyes and flavors, other dangerous substances for allergy sufferers are added to it. Silicate, sodium, ash, carbonate - all these substances are contained in this type of soap. Even on the skin of a he althy person, this product affects negatively. The presence of strong active substances provokes skin corrosion and dryness.
Tar soap
The most natural soap available in stores today. An allergy to tar soap is caused by a large amount of essential oils that make up its composition.
Scented soap
There is nothing natural in all soaps that are labeled with strawberry, raspberry, apple, etc. fragrances. Perfumes are artificial, used to increase sales. Manufacturers paint the blocks in various colors, but meanwhile, the paint is also artificial, as is the smell.
Is there a safe soap for allergy sufferers?
It is believed that this is a baby soap, although it is not 100% hypoallergenic. It just contains much less harmful substances. It contains no dyes, oils, synthetic flavors, which are allergens. Hisuse is recommended not only for children, but also for people who are allergic to detergents on their hands and body.
Recommendations for selection
Allergy sufferers need to choose detergents that do not have a bright color and strong odor. This is especially important when purchasing soap for the care of the intimate area. Such funds should be purchased at pharmacies or specialized stores.
Deserves special attention cosmetic line "Dove" and "Eared Nanny". This is not to say that these types of soap 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 scented with natural ingredients such as lavender, eucalyptus, grape seed oil, etc.
For patients who suffer from hypersensitivity to chemical ingredients, the Eared Babysitter line can be a good choice.
Diagnostic features
Allergy to detergents needs serious diagnosis. Photos of the symptoms of the disease with a description are often published in medical publications. Diagnosis involves taking blood from a vein and examining this material. Blood must be taken on an empty stomach. The day before, serious sports and stressful situations should be avoided.
If you are taking any medications, the allergist should know about this before taking the test. After receiving the result and identifyingallergen, treatment is prescribed. Finding out what causes allergies is easy. The onset of symptoms is usually observed after contact with detergent.
If necessary, the doctor prescribes laboratory tests - a general analysis of urine and blood, as well as tests. It is quite easy to check the reaction to the detergent at home. To do this, it is enough to apply a small amount of soap on the elbow bend. After 24 hours you will be able to evaluate the result. If there is no redness, then this remedy can be used.
Treatment
For allergy sufferers, it is extremely important to get 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 to drink a large amount of purified water. Then they take enteroserbents and only after that antihistamines. It is not recommended to use creams and ointments for external use when providing first aid. In most cases, they only worsen the condition of the skin.
On the body and hands, an allergy to detergents and ordinary, household and liquid soap (when diagnosed) involves treatment with various ointments and creams. They are prescribed by a dermatologist or an allergist. In many publications, you can see photos of an allergy to detergents in a aggravated form. In this case, more serious treatment with antihistamines (Eden, Claritin, Suprastin, Diazolin, etc.) is required.
For the rapid removal of toxins, enterosorbents are prescribed ("Polysorb", "Enterosgel"). When in contact with soap, rashes often occur on the neck, onhands and face. In this case, topical preparations are prescribed. These include Fenistil, Elocom, hydrocortisone ointment.
You need to know that all hormonal drugs should be prescribed only by the attending physician, since these drugs can not only harm the body, but also become addictive. If an allergic reaction to tar soap occurs, immediately wash off the soap suds with water. It is necessary to use only cool water, since hot water can increase the symptoms of the disease. Allergy to tar soap requires medical treatment. These are histamine preparations that are prescribed by a doctor. They reduce the general manifestations of an allergic reaction, prevent its further development. If tar soap gets into the eyes, they must be washed with chamomile infusion.
When the symptoms of the disease appear in the intimate area, you will need to consult a gynecologist. This will prevent the development of complications and choose an effective treatment. Intimate soap should be colorless, without a strong odor.
Physiotherapy
Skin condition physiotherapy treatments. Allergists, depending on the condition of the patient, prescribe procedures using electric current of different frequencies. During the treatment, electromagnetic type rays and ozone can be used. This treatment gives excellent results in combination with drug therapy.
Prevention
It must be understood that any hygiene or cosmetic product can causeallergic reactions in the form of a rash on the face, hands, knees and other parts of the body. Before using a particular personal care product, you should familiarize yourself with its composition.
The presence of dyes, chemicals, fragrances should alert allergy sufferers - they cannot be used with such products. You should buy soap and other similar products only in pharmacies and specialized stores that have quality certificates for products. This is especially important when it comes to products for children.
Don't put too much faith in highly advertised hypoallergenic products. In each case, it is necessary to conduct preliminary testing at home (we wrote about how to do this above). Only in the absence of a negative reaction, soap or any detergent is allowed to be used.
