Allergy symptoms from laundry detergent can occur within a few hours or as late as 10 days after you've been exposed to the allergen.
What does a rash from detergent look like? It could be a red rash, with mild to severe itching. It might also have bumps, or blisters that may crust over or ooze. Tender or burning skin or skin that's dry, cracking, or scaly, and swelling are also signs of contact dermatitis.
Most severe allergic reactions occur within seconds or minutes after exposure to the allergen. Some reactions can occur after several hours. In very rare cases, reactions develop after 24 hours. Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that occurs within minutes or hours of exposure.
The first three types are considered immediate hypersensitivity reactions because they occur within 24 hours. The fourth type is considered a delayed hypersensitivity reaction because it usually occurs more than 12 hours after exposure to the allergen, with a maximal reaction time between 48 and 72 hours.
What happens if I accidentally use too much detergent? If you use too much detergent, your clothes may not rinse properly, leaving behind a residue that makes them feel sticky or stiff. It can also lead to excess suds, which can interfere with your washing machine's performance.
The surfactants (or surface active agents) in detergent break up grease, stains, and food residues to disperse them in water. Without a surfactant (your detergent, in this case), your clothing would simply sit in the water and come out close to the same way it went in: dirty.
Soft Water Has More Washing Power
Soft water will let you clean your clothes using the only ½ the amount of the detergent, and you can use cold, warm, or hot water to get it super clean.
For most people, the truth is that allergic reactions to detergents are relatively rare, affecting only about 1% of individuals.
The best laundry detergents for allergies are hypoallergenic and free from dyes, perfumes, and other potential irritants. Some top-rated brands include All Free Clear, Tide Free & Gentle, and Seventh Generation Free & Clear.
Contact dermatitis can look like all other forms of dermatitis, with red, itchy skin that may have small bumps or blisters. It may be in an area of contact with the product or can be widespread.
Allergic contact dermatitis is best treated by identifying and avoiding the allergen(s) that you are sensitized to. For symptom relief, applying a hydrocortisone cream and taking an antihistamine can help stop itching.
And if you can't take our word for it, dermatologists, allergists, and pediatricians all recommend the All Free Clear detergent, specifically for sensitive skin. It also happens to be the National Eczema Association's top laundry choice.
This is a result of detergent residue that hasn't been fully rinsed out, and it can turn your previously soft wardrobe into a crunchy, scratchy, uncomfortable-to-wear load of clothes.
Dish soap can cost much less than laundry detergent and can clean your clothes just as well. However, it's important to keep in mind that you will use a lot less dish liquid than laundry detergent. Adding too much dish soap will cause your washing machine to overflow with bubbles.
The first sign that you're using too much detergent will show up in your clothes. Stiff, starchy, scratchy clothes—instead of the expected soft and fresh results—mean that there were too many soap suds in your washing machine during the cycle.
Expected Symptoms
Mild oral/throat irritation in taste amounts. Larger amounts: upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Potential for burns.
Washing machines clean clothes in part by allowing clothes to rub against each other; this friction helps work dirt and stains out of fabric. Using too much soap can reduce this friction, which means that your clothes may not get as clean as they would otherwise.
If you avoid the substance causing the reaction, the rash often clears up in 2 to 4 weeks. You can try soothing your skin with a cool, wet cloth and other self-care steps.
An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), isn't enough to treat anaphylaxis. These medicines can help relieve allergy symptoms, but they work too slowly in a severe reaction.
Delayed reactions occur from hours to days after eating the offending food. Symptoms may include vomiting, pain, diarrhea, blood stools, or poor growth. Some children may have hives or eczema. Delayed reactions are the most common form of food allergy.