Several substances can cause allergic reactions on the skin, and dish soap is one of them.
This reaction is calledcontact dermatitis.
It may also be referred to as eczema on the hands.
Elva Etienne / Getty Images
Elva Etienne / Getty Images
What Is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis can come on quickly or develop slowly.
There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant dermatitis and allergic dermatitis.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis is when your skin gets aggravated from touching a certain substance.
This is the most common throw in of contact dermatitis.
Mild irritants may only cause a reaction after repeated contact with the skin.
Cosmetic products like soaps, shampoos, and hair dyes are common irritants.
You may not have an allergic reaction when you first use the substance containing the allergen.
Rather, you could go days or even years before developing an allergic reaction to the substance.
Frequent use of the product may make you more sensitive to the allergen in it.
As a result, you could develop an allergic reaction from using the product regularly.
Buying fragrance-free soaps could be a good place to start.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a dish soap allergy will mirror those of contact dermatitis.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis may differ based on whether it is resulting from an irritant or allergy.
Contact dermatitis symptoms from dish soap include itching and a red, patchy rash.
It may take using the dish soap several timesfor months, evenfor a reaction to occur.
Treatment
Dish soap allergy often can be treated at home.
Severe reactions, however, may require medical help.
Home Remedies
Home-based treatments for a dish soap allergy are pretty straightforward.
Do not use that dish soap anymore.
Since fragrances are a common irritant and allergen, look for fragrance-free soaps.
Thus, a simple hand soap is a good alternative to dish soap.
Certain ingredients in dish soaps may be irritants or allergens for some people.
Home remedies, such as wearing gloves while washing dishes, may also help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people experience skin irritation when using dish soap and other household cleaning products.
It is common enough that there is a name for it: dishpan hands.
Fragrance seems to be a common cause of irritation.
Common symptoms of a dish soap allergy are itchy hands and a red, patchy rash.
Usually these symptoms appear a day or two after using the dish soap, or even longer than that.
It may take repeated exposure to the dish soap before the symptoms occur.
Dish soaps often contain ingredients that are known irritants or allergens.
Fragrances and certain preservatives that can irritate skin also are common.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Frequently asked questions on soap.
