Possibly allergic to washing powder

[geoff]

Its been a wet winter, so we have been drying clothes indoors more often, like in the spare room. Yes we do have a tumble dryer but it always seemed easier to dry a few indoors or over a radiator.
Now my wife has started complaining about headaches, sore throat, runny nose, bleary vision, tiredness, and so on; and has also noticed these symptoms in me ( like most men I ignore anything that I deem to be trivial.) She also thinks that other things like carelessness and forgetfulness could also be due to allergic reactions to the fumes and/ or smell of washing powder and detergent
We are now strictly drying washing outside or in the tumble dryer, but does anyone know of less irritating/allergenic soap powders than the usual main brands; or any other comments would be appreciated

[Two_Sheds]

Bio products irritate my eczema badly, but I have never noticed fumes or anything. I dry clothes indoors all winter.

[Glutton4...]

Bio products irritate my eczema badly, but I have never noticed fumes or anything. I dry clothes indoors all winter.

Ditto. I'd say it is very unlikely to be the cause. Hope you get it sorted.

[jackie j]

What sort of heating etc do you have. Hope its not the fumes from that as the symptoms sound familiar. I would get it checked out asap.

[HotStuff]

Geoff, you might want to get your central heating boiler checked for Carbon Monoxide. You can buy Detector Cards from places like Maplins.

[Pies]

Use non bio soap powder,although if you have a gas or oil boiler in the home get it checked out and the flue some of the symptoms you state are similar to those of mild carbon monoxide poisoning



Edit too slow typing

[Creemteez]

DEFINATELY GET YOUR GAS CENTRAL HEATING CHECKED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS!!
Contact a Corgi Rgistered Engineer. You can also get CM Detectors from DIY stores

[Florence Fennel]

I'm with the others here. One of my family developed an allergic reaction to Lenor fabric conditioner, but it was a rash, not the symptoms you have had.

[Rhona]

I did a reasonable amount of research on this for a client some years ago - doesn't sound one bit like a detergent-type reaction to be honest.

I agree - rule out carbon monoxide first. We have a monitor on all the time even though our systems are all brand new.

[Madasafish]

We all suffer from bio powder allergy and never use it...

[Jeanied]

Just to add in my 2p worth - my sister is really allergic to bio washing powder so uses the non-bio varieties. I agree with the explore the options re: CO poisoning too - but also you can cut down the amount of washing powder you use by 50% (or even totally for alternate washes so you are only using water), switch to a non bio and use wash balls - not the ones with funny little balls inside, but the ridged ones that bounce round in the wash and knock seven bells out of any stains. I got some of these in Aldi a few months ago and am amazed at how little powder I use these days.

[kirsty b]

Will have to look into those Jeanied - anything that can save a few quid is a goer round here!

All winter I have had 2 clothes horses in my spare room for drying clothes and have not noticed similar symptoms - I'll add the same tuppence worth as the others: please get your house checked for CO

[di]

Would you feel considerably nagged at if I also said get your boiler checked!

If I use any normal household cleaners I end up with a headache,but not sure clothes on a rad would cause this but I suppose it's possible...maybe the artificial perfumes?(and that's not an excuse to not get your boiler checked)
I use the Co op own brand eco friendly washing liquid.DS's eczema has cleared up loads since I switched from Asdas version of the same.Sometimes there's a few stains left over....but I know the clothes are clean

[miffy]

Defo repeat what others are saying classic symptoms of a dodgy boiler.
Re powders Fairy non bio works for my hubbie and his sensitive skin. Bless him.
Re Asda powder we have had to get rid as it clogs on the clothes and doesn't disolve properly horrid stuff.

[northepaul]

I agree with everyone else, get it checked for CO2 first - it isnt worth the risk.