Biological washing powders do NOT cause skin allergies, says expert

Tag : Washing Powders
Biological washing powders do NOT cause skin allergies, says expert
By Fiona Macrae Last updated at 8:42 AM on 23rd May 2008 Comments ( 17 ) Add to My Stories

Biological washing powders do not aggravate eczema, doctors saidlast night.

British researchers said the widely-held view that theenzyme-enhanced detergents are harsher on the skin is a myth.

They urged doctors to look beyond laundry detergents when seekingtriggers for eczema, rashes and itches because there is"convincing" evidence that biological washing powders do notexacerbate skin complaints.

Biological washing powder is safe for the skin, a new study found
Millions of Britons buy non-biological powder in the belief that itis kinder to their skin.

Non-biological powders - without "stain-digesting" enzymes - account for a third of the detergent market.

The researchers, from a trio of British hospitals, reported theirfindings in the British Journal of Dermatology after analysing theresults of decades of research into the safety of washing powders.

A U.S. study of hundreds of babies indicated the type of powderused did not affect the development of nappy rash or the severityof the condition.

Tests on almost 6,000 adults revealed that biological powder was nomore harmful to the hands than enzyme-free products.

German experiments focusing on the enzymes rather than the powdersshowed they did not irritate skin, even when it was slightly brokenand the contact lasted for several days.

The enzymes did irritate very damaged skin, but the concentrationsused were much higher than would be found in commercially availableproducts.

Testing Londoners who claimed to be sensitive to their washingpowder also showed their fears were unfounded, the scientists said.

"Contact with wash solutions does not lead either to irritation orto allergy," they added.
"Residues on fabrics are also trivially low and do not give rise toany skin effects."
Dr Sarah Wakelin, a dermatologist at St Mary's Hospital in Londonand one of the researchers, said: "What we have found is thatultimately, the balance of all the enzymes in laundry detergentsare not a cause of either skin irritation or skin allergy.

"Investigations of numerous individuals with skin complaintsattributed to laundry products demonstrated convincingly thatenzymes were not responsible.

"Indeed, enzyme-containing laundry products have an extensivehistory of safe use.

"Thus, the supposed adverse effects of enzymes on the skin seem tobe a consequence of mythology."

Dr Colin Holden, president of the British Association ofDermatologists, said: "This study highlights that flare-ups ofeczema should not just be written off as caused by washing powder.

"This serves as a reminder to medical professionals that an expertdermatologist should explore all other potential causes, asbio-detergents may well not be the culprit."

However, the charity Allergy UK said that many do findnon-biological powders kinder to their skin.

Spokesman Lyndsey McManus said: "If you have got sensitive skin,make sure you've got a washing machine that does a really goodrinse. Or carry out an extra rinse at the end of the programme andmaybe use a non-biological powder."