3 allergens that could be causing your bathroom woes

19th July 2023

3 allergens that could be causing your bathroom woes

While our homes are our place of comfort, they can also contribute to our allergies if we aren’t careful. Just ask anyone with hay fever in the summer. It becomes a tough choice between opening the windows and letting the pollen in or sitting in a stuffy box. When it comes to allergies, we have to be careful of how our homes can aggravate them.

One place this can happen is in the bathroom. You may not even realise it’s the cause of your reactions. But there’s plenty in there that could be causing issues. Let’s look at some strange allergy triggers in the bathroom and what they could mean for you.

Toothpaste

We know what you’re thinking: what could possibly be in toothpaste that triggers an allergy? It’s just a minty paste for brushing your teeth. But toothpaste is a collection of a lot of ingredients, and there’s a chance one of them could be an allergen.

It’s tricky to pin down which one it is without further investigation. But some of the most common triggers will be fluoride, essential oils, and even gluten, which is used to thicken the toothpaste. Symptoms can include inflammation or a rash around the mouth and lips. The best way to tackle it – at least in the short term – is to choose a different brand and see if that helps.

Shampoo

Similar to toothpaste, shampoos are made up of a wide range of ingredients, making diagnosis difficult. It might even be tough to trace it back to the shampoo in the first place. Since it can touch a lot of areas, you might not even realise that the rash around your ears comes from the shampoo.

And you’ll run into a similar issue in finding which specific ingredient is causing the problem. If you suspect your shampoo is causing an allergic reaction, stop using it and talk to your doctor. You could also research fragrance-free alternatives, as these may eliminate some of the more common triggers. But it isn’t a guarantee; medical advice will always be your best bet.

Water

Yes, it sounds stranger than fiction, but it is possible to be allergic to water. It’s incredibly rare, with only a handful of documented cases. Its medical name is “aquagenic urticaria” and happens when water comes into contact with the skin. This leads to red, itchy rashes – also known as hives.

Because it’s so rare, it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly causes this reaction. The leading theories are that it’s either a certain chemical in the water or something on the skin that reacts badly with water. Either way, it makes bathing difficult. But the chances of you having the condition are incredibly slim.

The chances of there being allergy triggers in the bathroom are low. But there’s no harm in being cautious, looking out for changes in your body, and staying safe. If you ever notice an unusual reaction after using a bathroom product, talk to your doctor immediately.

Alternatively, talk to one of our allergy specialists. Our team is well-versed in getting to the bottom of your condition and suggesting changes to lead an easier and happier life. Get in touch with us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient today.

Household chemicals that you could be allergic to

9th March 2022

Household chemicals that you could be allergic to

There’s nothing less convenient than having your allergies triggered at home. All it takes is one open window to set off your hay fever. But at least you can take steps to avoid them. What’s worse is when all you want to do is clean your home and… another allergic reaction.

We can be allergic to many household chemicals and beauty products that make up our day to day. And it might not even be an allergy; some will trigger your asthma. In one study, they found that children had a higher chance of having a recurrent wheeze if they lived in a house that used cleaning products more often.

So what can you do about it? And what symptoms should you look out for?

Allergy triggers

What exactly causes your allergic response will be hard to pin down. But it’ll be a chemical within the product that sets you off. As such, there are plenty of household chemicals that could trigger your allergies.

This includes:

• Washing powder/detergent
• Disinfectants/antibacterial products
• Shampoo
• Soaps and shower gels
• Washing-up liquid
• Polish
• Bleach

The list is far from extensive. As a rule of thumb, staying away from anything containing formaldehyde or ammonia is another good bet.

You’ll know you’ve had an adverse reaction if you experience:

• Red patches on your skin
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Breathing difficulties

What to do

The obvious first step is to avoid using products and chemicals that have triggered your allergies in the past. But there’ll come a time when you have to clean yourself or your home. And that will potentially bring you back into contact with these products.

Until you find alternatives, and if you feel you absolutely must, use rubber gloves when cleaning your home. You also might want to wear a mask to block fumes and open windows to keep the space well ventilated. Though we don’t recommend this at all. You should do what you can to keep yourself healthy.

If you have a partner, consider swapping chores so they do the cleaning. Or, if you’re the domestic one, look for alternative cleaning methods. There will no doubt be a recipe out there for making your own home cleaner with vinegar and baking soda.

Above all else, you want to go to your doctor about any symptoms. They can refer you to an allergy specialist or test you for your exact triggers. This way, you can avoid nasty chemicals and live your life free of worry. And still have a clean house!

If you’re concerned about your allergies, get in touch with our specialists. We can guide you on your allergy journey and help you figure out what you can do. Reach out to us on 02031 433 449.