The Eczema Prevention Picture: Soaps And Detergents

Dishwashers, housewives, laundresses and surgeons, often show dehydration or shriveling of the keratin layers, which leads to irritation (primary irritant type dermatitis). Coconut-oil-containing soap is often the worst culprit. Neutral soaps, such as Cetaphil, Lowila, Basis, Oilatum, or Dove are much less drying. Many of the stronger antibacterial soaps, such as Dial, Zest, Lifebuoy, Safeguard, Coast and Palmolive Gold, are sensitizing as well as drying, and may be photosensitizing.
Contact with clothing washed in strong soaps or detergents (for instance sheets used by bed patients) can lead to dermatitis. This is especially true if bleach or whitener is used. The laundry detergents most likely to cause a reaction include Axion, Bold, Ajax Detergent, Cold Power, Salveo Tabs, Coldwater All, Amway, Arm & Hammer, Era and Dynamo.