Fragrances and hidden chemicals in your soap can cause discomfort. Soap allergies can be especially bothersome because of the symptoms they produce. Unfortunately, allergies can come from a variety of sources, including pollen, food and chemicals, making it difficult to pinpoint the offending culprit.
Definition
The term for an allergic reaction involving the skin is contact dermatitis. This occurs
when an offending agent comes into contact with your skin, causing an irritation or an allergic reaction. According to MayoClinic.com, the red itchy rash is not contagious or life-threatening, but can be quite uncomfortable. The sources of these types of reactions include many everyday items, such as soaps, fragrances, cosmetics, jewelry or plants such as poison ivy or poison oak.
Symptoms
Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include blisters, itching, skin rash and pain. The itching of soap allergies can be quite severe and comparable to poison ivy or poison oak. Along with the discomfort of itching can be the added distress of unsightly blisters and rashes, making identification of the exact source urgent.
Fragrance
One of the most common causes of soap allergies is the fragrance. It sounds quite harmless when included as an ingredient on the label, but fragrance, according to EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, is usually "a chemical cocktail, often containing individual chemicals associated with allergic reactions and hormone disruption." Many of these chemicals in fragrances have not been assessed for safety. You have no way to know what you are putting on your skin if the label does not disclose all of the ingredients. Don't make the mistake of assuming fragrance is always a pure and natural addition to your soap.
Prevention
Avoidance of the specific soaps that you know you are allergic to is a good start. Avoiding soaps with unnecessary chemicals and fragrances can protect you from future problems, whether it be in your laundry detergent or your bath soap. Getting used to more natural fragrances can be difficult, but eventually will happen as your nose adjusts to scents that are healthier for your skin. For those with soap allergies, the extra effort to find more natural products can pay off in comfort.
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