Can You Be Allergic To Water Softener?
Yes, you can be allergic to water softeners. The problem is that some people who use water softeners also have chemical allergies.
If you suspect you might be allergic to the water softeners, talk to your doctor about getting tested for chemical sensitivity.
Suppose you are experiencing symptoms such as hives, swelling, itching, or difficulty breathing. You should seek medical attention immediately. The symptoms may last for several days after stopping use.
People who have the condition known as a "water softener allergy" are allergic to the resin beads in the water softening system. You may have developed a severe water allergy if you have this condition.
This condition is called resinosis. The resin softener is made from plastic and releases chemicals as it degrades.
Although there are no official statistics, it is estimated that 1 per cent of people suffer from resinosis. This condition is treatable.
How do Water Softeners work?
A salt water softener works by passing salt through the water supply. The salt dissolves into the water, making it easier for the water to flow out of the tap.
This process removes all poor water quality minerals, making them safe for drinking. If you're worried about hardness in water, a water softener chlorine is a great option.
Water softeners soften hard water, making it easier to wash, clean and even drink! The best water softeners soften water while still filtering out contaminants.
Some water softeners can also remove other pesky substances like chlorine, which your water supplier may add to the water to keep it clean.
Types Of Water Contaminants?
There are three types of water contaminants:
1. Organic - Organic contaminants include pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals used in agriculture.
2. Inorganic - It includes heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium
3. Toxic - Toxic contaminants include nitrates and nitrites, which can cause cancer.
What Are The Skin Problems You Can Get From Water Softener?
Water softeners can cause several skin conditions. These include:
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- And contact dermatitis
Suppose you notice any redness, itching, swelling around your body or genitals. Then you should consult a doctor immediately.
If you use a water softener for a long period, you may experience skin problems. These conditions may be caused by the chemicals used in the water softener.
It is important to avoid the water reaching the mineral regeneration cycle. When the regeneration cycle is complete, the water is cleaner, and there is no risk of developing skin problems from the unfiltered tap water.
Symptoms Of Eczema
The trigger of eczema symptoms include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Dry skin
- Cracked skin
- And oozing sores
There is no cure for eczema sufferers, however, there are treatments available to help relieve symptoms. The first step is to identify what triggers your eczema flares.
But once you know what causes your eczema flare-ups, you can then find ways to avoid them.
Most of the UK is notorious for hard water, which can cause dry skin leading to the above conditions. Here we review the best water softeners today.
How Can You Prevent Water Softeners From Causing Skin Irritation?
Water softness is a bit of a double-edged sword. These units are excellent at softening your water. It can remove the minerals that cause water hardness, but they can also cause skin and eye irritation.
The best way to avoid this is:
- Keep your water softener free of water mineral buildup and use a good backup water filter.
- You need to follow all the instructions when installing a water softener and maintain it.
- If you are looking for ways to soften your water at home, many options are available, including salt-free water softeners.
- You should avoid using them for long periods. Because they contain chemicals such as:
1. Sodium chlorite, which has been linked to skin irritations.
- Choose a water softener with a small capacity and design. This way, you'll get the soft water you want in a small package that doesn't take up much space.
- Make sure that the softener is easy to move so you can move it if necessary. It will help you get the most out of the softener and prevent it from causing skin irritation.
- The best way to prevent skin irritation from using a water softener is to use distilled water.
With the right amount of preparation and the right chlorinated tap water softener, you can enjoy hard water without skin irritation and an effective solution.
Last Words
You may not be allergic to the softened water, but you can develop allergies or sensitivity. If you feel like your skin is getting itchy and irritated, it's important to talk to your doctor about treating the water in your home.
If you are allergic to water softeners, there are options for you to reduce impurities in your water. You may also consider using a different model of the water softener.
There are different models available, so you may find one that does not cause your allergic reaction.
Dear Maria
This article may have saved my life. Through a chance conversation with an engineer fixing our washing machine, he highlighted we needed to get our water softener checked. It took a while but finally, the water softener company came out to check our 11-month-old water softener and confirmed that it was faulty and leaking resin. The water in the bottom was brown instead of clear or salty-looking. At this point, I had been chronically unwell with chronic urticaria (hives) and angioedema (swelling) for 9 months. I was under an immunologist, had reacted to every antihistamine, and was just about to have a biological drug called omalizumab.
I was unable to commit to work, and social events and struggled to wear clothes most days because I was reacting to everything. The facial swelling took the worst toll on my mental health. The engineer put in a new system and I asked what the effects of drinking resin water were and he said oh there aren't really any but very few people can be allergic. I did a Google search and your article was the first thing that came up. We did not turn the system back on and over a period of a few days, I got better. I tried to sweat it out with several saunas but this caused a major flare up so I tried the biological drug. I had every side effect going, so there was no more hope there and my immunologist discharged saying she couldn't offer me any other solutions. I still do have occasional flare-ups when I try to detox too fast but at this point I am ok. I have spent a fortune on alternative treatments to relieve my symptoms and I am now in touch with a solicitor to look at compensation and a refund.
At its worst, it was affecting my breathing, I had one night when my oxygen levels were 86%, and I didn't sleep for longer than an hour for 42 nights straight because I was itching so much. I was mentally struggling to see how I could go on with such miserable symptoms.
One positive is when someone has been as ill as I was, a day without swelling and hives, is a perfect day, nothing can bring me down.
So thank you for your article. I am still detoxing and hoping to be clear of this stuff soon. Any information about resin ingestion's long-term effects would be much appreciated.
This comment is the reason why we do what we do - thank you for taking the time writing it 🙂