Help: Hand Soap Needed! (allergies)

[*JoGo*]

In the past year I've developed extremely sensitive skin. I'm also suddenly allergic to my cat, I've had her for over 2 yrs and grew up w/ 2 cats in the house. At home we usually have B&BW hand soap, but at work, we use Soft Soap. Since school started and I've been washing my hands several times a day (preschool!), my hands have had an awful rash and dry cracked scaley skin. I figured it was the weather causing it and faithfully applied Jergans after each hand-washing. But over Thanksgiving break my hands cleared up. Then we ran out of soap and I picked up Soft Soap at the grocery store - immediately after using it, the backs of my hands became red and irritated again.

So I'm allergic to something in the Soft Soap. I don't even know how to go about narrowing down exactly which ingrediant it is. I'm now searching for some good organic soap. And body wash. And lotion.
I could get B&BW, but I'd like to try something organic. Organic must be better for my skin, right?

Any suggestions/recommendations?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

You might want to use Method~

http://www.methodhome.com/

 

[minkydog]

My son Christian is very sensitive to anything with an antibacterial component. Soft Soap is one of the worst. If he uses it even for one day his hands break out in eczema. We use either Jergens or Ivory liquid soap. No hand sanitizers. Just plain soap and water. I sent several bottles to his school WITH HIS NAME ON IT. So there is no excuse for them using anything other than HIS soap.

 

[quasar4legs]

We use QV wash which is a soap alternative recommended by my son's allergist.

Good Luck finding something suitable for your skin.

 

[RNMOM]

I use Cetaphil for myself. I use it all over when I need to but always on my face and other special places. It really is the most gentle product I have ever found and has been around for a long time.

http://www.cetaphil.com/Products/GentleSkinCleanser.aspx

 

[Imzadi]

Plain, basic Ivory soap. There's very little of anything in it.

 

[golfgal]

I know several people that can't use antibacterial soap. I agree with using Ivory or something very plain.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My nephew FINALLY found relief from his psoriasis with the Cetaphil cleanser. That is the only "soap" he can use on his skin in the shower.

You know, I need to try it on my hands. I do have it along with every other product because I have excema. And of course Thanksgiving killed my hands.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I was blaming the Dawn dish soap for my hands being a mess, maybe it is the soft soap? Time to try something else.

I know several people that can't use antibacterial soap.

 

[Shoshana]

Dr. Bronner's -- liquid or bar. No laurel sulfates, no chemicals or preservatives, and some versions are organic. There is also a 'baby mild' version. It isn't drying and doesn't irritate my dd's eczema. It's also great to use in the tub as it doesn't leave a soap scum ring!

I'd also avoid the Jergens and try Eucerin or Aquaphor.

Good luck

 

[ogreenlee]

I use Pure and Natural, which can be found at the grocery store. It costs a good bit more, but I have excema on my hands, too. I also like Cleanliness is next to Godliness from Trader Joe's. It's in a big container and doesn't cost that much.

 

[HillPete]

Try some soap from Lush (www dot lushusa dot com). There is a store locator on the website, or you can order form there. Everything is very gentle, fresh, handmade, no preservatives, etc... If you go into a store they may hook you up with samples so you can try a few to see what you like. They also have a great lotion called Dream Cream that was designed for people with excema so it's very soothing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My soap allergies are to the fragrance additives.

If you buy any free and clear, that will be better.

I cannot otherwise imagine what is different between B&BW and softsoap to cause a sudden allergy you have never had. So IMHO, you don't necessarily need to go organic if you've never had a reaction to soap until now.

Also--dish soaps have similar ingredients to soaps.

I'm not against organic and have used it myself, I'm just saying that for the non-organic B&BW to not be a problem for you, the allergen isn't a non-organic source if that makes sense.

 

[EthansMom]

In the past year I've developed extremely sensitive skin. I'm also suddenly allergic to my cat, I've had her for over 2 yrs and grew up w/ 2 cats in the house. At home we usually have B&BW hand soap, but at work, we use Soft Soap. Since school started and I've been washing my hands several times a day (preschool!), my hands have had an awful rash and dry cracked scaley skin. I figured it was the weather causing it and faithfully applied Jergans after each hand-washing. But over Thanksgiving break my hands cleared up. Then we ran out of soap and I picked up Soft Soap at the grocery store - immediately after using it, the backs of my hands became red and irritated again.

So I'm allergic to something in the Soft Soap. I don't even know how to go about narrowing down exactly which ingrediant it is. I'm now searching for some good organic soap. And body wash. And lotion.
I could get B&BW, but I'd like to try something organic. Organic must be better for my skin, right?

Any suggestions/recommendations?

It sounds like you were getting eczema, which can be caused/worsened by lots of washing and some soaps, detergents, etc...

My daughter gets eczema. We do use Soft Soap but the kind that is NOT antibacterial. However, it sounds as if you may need to switch to a different soap.

When she does have an eczema outbreak, Aquaphor ointment has worked the best for DD in relieving symptoms and helping to rid her of the eczema.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My son Christian is very sensitive to anything with an antibacterial component. Soft Soap is one of the worst. If he uses it even for one day his hands break out in eczema. We use either Jergens or Ivory liquid soap. No hand sanitizers. Just plain soap and water. I sent several bottles to his school WITH HIS NAME ON IT. So there is no excuse for them using anything other than HIS soap.

My DD is the same way with antibacterials, too. She uses Dove liquid soap.

 

[princess momma]

If you think you're allergic to something in the soap, see an allergist. They'll do testing to find out what's causing the problems, then you can read the labels of the products you use, and avoid the culprit. My husband is allergic to an antifungal that's in many soaps, lotions, shampoos, etc. I guess it's becoming more and more common for people to develop sensitivities as the add more and more chemicals to the products we use.