Introduction
Allergies are divided into 4 different types. A detergent allergy is one of the contact allergies. The contact allergies in turn are assigned to allergy type IV.
One calls this allergy type also allergy of the late type. On the other hand, allergies such as hay fever or food allergies belong to allergy type I. Here it concerns allergies of the immediate type.
The difference between the different allergy types is that the body reacts to the allergen in a different way and within a different time period. In the case of the detergent allergy, the immune system forms certain cells that react specifically to the triggering allergen. Up to 72 hours can pass between contact with the allergen and the appearance of the first allergic symptoms. In hay fever, on the other hand, the first symptoms after repeated allergen contact occur after only a few minutes.
Causes
With the detergent allergy, the body’s immune system reacts excessively to an ingredient in the detergent that is not actually dangerous, but is classified by the body as dangerous. The allergy occurs because allergenic particles of the detergent get stuck on the laundry and then there is a longer lasting skin contact when wearing the garment. Therefore also the designation contact allergy.
The consequence is that allergic symptoms occur repeatedly after contact with this ingredient. The allergic symptoms are caused by the fact that the body’s immune system forms defense cells specifically directed against the allergen. These cells are activated again and again when the body is confronted with the allergen.
The cells bind to different receptors and thus trigger allergic symptoms. Numerous substances contained in various detergents can have a potentially allergenic effect. Up to now, no specific ingredient has been identified with certainty as the trigger of a detergent allergy.
Not only detergents, but also fabric softeners contain various potentially allergenic ingredients. Especially babies and toddlers are especially sensitive to the ingredients of fabric softeners and it is recommended to wash the laundry without fabric softener in the first years of the child’s life. There are however in the meantime from ever more offerers Weichspüler variants those with additives like sensitive marked and are to be better compatible.
Why certain people react allergic to detergent ingredients and others do not, is not clear so far. As with most other allergies, it is a hypersensitivity that cannot be predicted on the basis of certain characteristics. It is certain, however, that people with pre-existing skin diseases such as neurodermatitis have an increased risk of a detergent allergy. Likewise humans with pre-existing allergies have a increased risk to fall ill at further allergies.
