If you have noticed that you are experiencing itchiness after using a new laundry detergent, you may wonder whether or not something in it is causing a reaction. If so, look for the following signs and symptoms that may mean you are allergic to your laundry detergent.
Small, Weepy Bumps Appear on Your Skin
One sign that you are having an allergic reaction to your laundry detergent is the appearance of small, weepy bumps on your skin. However, most of the time, these bumps will only show up wherever your clothes have come into contact with your skin. You may also notice larger or more bumps wherever your clothes fit tightly.
If you notice the bumps appearing, remove your clothing, and take a shower to remove any potential allergens. If possible, wear clothes that were not washed in the suspected detergent until the bumps disappear. After a few days, try wearing clothes that were laundered in the detergent to see if you have the same reaction. If so, there is probably something in the formula to which you are allergic
Skin Tissue Starts to Swell
Along with visible bumps on your skin, you may also notice that the skin tissue seems puffier under your clothes than that which does not come into contact with the fabric. At first, the swelling may seem minuscule. However, if you continue to come into contact with the detergent, the swelling will only worsen.
As part of your body's immune response, when it senses something it deems a threat, such as an allergen in the detergent, blood flow increases to carry white blood cells to the area to fight it off. When this happens, blood fills the tissue and causes it to appear puffy and swollen. You may even have some soreness if you are having a severe response to the allergen.
Other Allergy Symptoms Are Noted
Most of the time, the reaction you experience from coming into contact with the detergent you suspect you are allergic to, you may only experience a local reaction caused contact dermatitis. This means that the detergent only affects the skin tissue.
However, if you have a body-wide reaction to the allergy, you may start having other allergy symptoms. Whenever you wear something washed in the detergent, your eyes may water, your nose may run, and you may even experience a small amount of wheezing.
If you are experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms whenever you use a certain laundry detergent, you may have an allergy to one or more ingredients in your laundry detergent. To determine which one is causing your allergic reaction, make an appointment with a skin allergy office like The Regional Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center, PC.
