Can Water Softeners Help Eczema?

Research has proved what all of us here at Harvey™ have known for years; that when it comes to alleviating chronic skin conditions such as eczema, softened water can make all the difference.

 

 

What is Eczema?

Eczema, or Atopic Eczema, is the name for a group of similar skin conditions which cause irritated and flaky skin. The skin may be itchy and it may cause patches of dry skin across your body. Some types of Eczema may also cause sore, inflamed blisters.

Certain internal and external factors may cause the Eczema to flare up, which can vary person to person. If you suspect that you have Eczema, you should speak to your GP or a dermatologist to determine the cause of the reaction.

Scientists prove link between hard water and eczema

New research has revealed the link between hard water and skin conditions like eczema. Scientists at the University of Sheffield and King’s College London, have proved that hard water damages the skin, raising the risk of infection and potentially contributing to the development of eczema. The study, which we were asked to fund, proves what we’ve known here for years; that when it comes to skin conditions, softened water can make all the difference.

Minerals in hard water (the same culprits behind limescale) were shown to make skin more sensitive to irritation, but when researchers used our twin-tank water softeners in their study they found that softened water could reduce these negative effects. It could even lower the risk of eczema developing in the first place. For people living with chronic skin conditions this research could be a game changer.

Read about the study here

Causes of eczema

The most notable causes of Eczema are poor diet, lax shower habits, contact with household chemicals, hard water, and even exercise. One in five children are affected by Eczema. Did you know that it can be made worse and even caused by hard water?

Hard water contributes to skin conditions such as eczema. With hard water you have to use more product to get a good lather, which can aggravate and irritate the skin. As well as being abrasive, hard water doesn’t necessarily wash all the residue off. This residue can be left on the skin which can worsen dry skin conditions

The NHS website lists “water – especially hard, chalky water or heavy chlorinated water” as a common irritant of contact dermatitis.

Other potential causes and irritants of eczema are:

– Dry skin in winter

– Irritants such as metals, fragrances, and cigarette smoke

– Scratchy, irritating fabrics and materials

– Stress

– Infections

– Sweat and hot climates

– Hormones

– Non-toxic chemicals (hair dye, nail polish, etc.)

a baby holding an adult's hand

It’s not something you and your family have to suffer with.

A Harvey™ Water Softener will soften your water and alleviate the effect hard water has on the skin. The water is softened through the mains water supply, meaning your whole home is supplied with softened water. Products will lather better, so you will use fewer products and there will be no residue left on the skin. From your sink to shower, the water you use will be kinder to sensitive skin.

Don’t just take our word for it, we have customers who say a water softener has completely changed their life.

1 in 5 children suffer from eczema.

Types of eczema that affect children

Eczema is very common in children during the first 6 months to 5 years of their lives. The two most recurring subtypes are seborrheic dermatitis which is nicknamed ‘cradle cap’ for infants, and atopic dermatitis.

Eczema in infants (0-6 Months)

Eczema can appear on infants most notably on the face and scalp, but also spread to other parts of the body if dry skin occurs. The symptoms include redness and discomfort, but this can be treated with doctor recommended moisturiser or medicine.

Babies (6-12 Months)

For babies, eczema appears most often around the elbows and knees rather than the face, as they begin to rub, scratch, and become more mobile. This atopic dermatitis can more easily become infected, and the symptoms of this include pus-filled bumps or even yellow scabbing.

Toddlers (2-5 years)

At this age, eczema can increasingly show up in creases on the elbows and knees, on the wrists and hands, or even around the mouth and eyelids . This is a crucial age to try to recognise environmental triggers and irritants, as ‘lichenification’, or the hardening and thickening of eczema, can occur.

Children (5+ years)

At this stage, eczema is usually only confined to elbow and knee creases or appears on the hands. The majority of people either experienced eczema in this early stage of their life. This period can however indicate whether the child will grow out of their skin condition, or develop atopic dermatitis into adolescence.

“My son has been growing out of his eczema, but since we have had our Harvey™​ Water Softener it has certainly reduced on his fingers. My wife also suffers with dry skin and has seen an improvement. In fact, she no longer wears rubber gloves when washing up. And my skin is no longer dry.”

Adrian, Didcot, Oxfordshire.

“I have suffered with a skin irritation on my body for some time, which has now disappeared completely since having my water softener installed.”

Andrew, Margate

1 in 12 adults are affected by eczema.

“I moved from soft water area, Devon, to hard water area, Southampton. Six months after moving I developed eczema. A specialist at the hospital suggested hard water was the cause, so I looked into water softeners. My eczema resulted in dry, sore infections that meant I couldn’t do washing, cleaning or even bathe my son. Hard water made life really difficult, I lived with the painful condition for 10 years and didn’t think anything could help. My water softener cured it; I had previously spent so much money on creams and treatments, but now I don’t need to use any. Having a skin condition really does negatively affect your life and a water softener completely cured it for me.”

Carly, Southampton

Eczema is a complicated condition with signs and symptoms that are different for everyone. A water softener may unfortunately not be the answer in some cases.

The benefits go beyond caring for eczema – to read more about how a water softener can care for your family and home take a look at the 7 wonders of Harvey™ Water

How to treat eczema

If you are suffering with eczema, there are several things you can do naturally at home to help reduce the soreness and irritation caused by a flare up.

The most important thing if you want to get rid of your eczema is to avoid scratching any afflicted areas as much as possible, as this will only prolong the flare up and cause damage to your skin. This then fosters an environment for more eczema to develop, and breaking the skin can lead to infection or scarring.

Things that can help to suppress the urge to scratch include:

  • Minimise the time you spend in dry heat e.g. near open fires, space heaters.
  • Avoid long hot baths or showers.
  • Avoid harsh or fragranced soaps and shampoos.
  • Avoiding abrasive fabrics that cause irritation.
  • Keep your living spaces well ventilated and at a reasonably cool temperature.
  • Trim your fingernails regularly to minimise the chances of breaking the skin if you do scratch.
  • Apply aloe vera gel to the afflicted area for cooling relief.
  • If you live in a hard water area, try using a water softener to convert your water into soft water.

Read more about how to prevent dry skin.

Suffer from eczema? Find out how softened water can help

Your pharmacist or GP can also recommend different emollients, creams, and ointments which may help to reduce the dryness of your skin and keep any redness or swelling to a minimum. In some cases, they may also suggest you take antihistamines to combat extreme itching. If these initial treatments do not help, you may be referred to a dermatologist for a more powerful treatment.

The UK’s #1 selling Water Softener

  • Stop limescale at the source and reduce your energy bills.
  • Keep your appliances running and lasting longer.
  • Soft on skin and hair, say goodbye to hard water irritation.

Once you submit your details, what happens next?

  • Submit your details using this web form.
  • We’ll contact you over the phone to understand your requirements.
  • We can provide a water softener demo, either in your home, or virtually online.
  • We then give you a personalised quote based on your household’s needs.
  • Start enjoying the benefits of soft water.

Request your personalised quote

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