If you suffer from a skin condition such as eczema, you probably already know some of the most common causes and triggers - allergies, food allergies, soaps, detergents, the sun and certain chemicals. But did you know that your water could also be a major culprit? In this information guide, we highlight how hard water can cause eczema and what you can do about it.
Hard water is water that contains an excess of calcium and magnesium ions. Whether or not you have hard water - depends on where in the UK you live and the surrounding land and geology. This is because rainwater falls and filters through underground limestone, gypsum, or chalk before being processed and entering your home.
The hard minerals in hard water can trigger eczema in several ways. These minerals react negatively to soaps, detergents and showering products. When reacting, they bind to surfactant particles to form a “soap scum”. This soap scum residue can leave a residue on the skin and the scalp and cause irritation.
Not only that, but hard water can also change the pH of the skin. The pH of the skin is important for protecting the skin from bacteria. Changes due to prolonged exposure to hard water can damage the skin barrier, increasing sensitivity and causing eczema to flare when using everyday products such as soaps, detergents and washing powders.
As a result, many people who live in hard water areas experience dry skin, dandruff, acne and eczema. Eczema can affect people of all ages, but in particular infants and small children.
Extracting and removing excess calcium and magnesium ions from water can change the way it reacts with soaps, detergents and the skin’s barrier. How can this be done? With a water softener.
A water softener removes hard minerals using ion exchange. - resulting in “soft” water that reacts better, decreasing the skin’s overall sensitivity.
A recent study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, funded by Harvey Water Softeners, investigated the effects of water softener systems on eczema & dry skin conditions. They found that soft water reacted differently with the surfactants found in soaps and detergents and, unlike hard water, did not leave soap deposits on the skin. This suggested that soft water could decrease the skin’s sensitivity to soaps and reduce the severity of pre-existing eczema & dry skin conditions.
A water softener can often help pre-existing eczema and dry skin if you live in a hard water area. It is installed directly to your main supply of water - it is usually fitted near your stop tap and generally underneath your kitchen sink. It may also be fitted outdoors if necessary. Once installed, the softener filters hard water so only soft water enters your home. The system is automatic and uses block salt to clean itself. You will have to replace the block salt as it runs out.
The type of water softener your home will require depends on your:
Many of our customers have chosen to install a water softener to help treat their eczema and dry skin. A water softener filters out the hard minerals from your water - leaving only soft water to enter your home. The results have been incredible with most customers seeing great improvements or a complete cure from their dry skin & eczema.
Extremely happy with my new water Softener only had it in for a week. Already my daughter’s eczema has started to clear up!! Skin feels and looks great too. Hazel is the most wonderful person I have met, explained different options to us without any pressure. Water Softener fitted all within a couple of hours. Would highly recommend, a very happy customer.
Also, I suffered from itchy skin - particularly on my face and scalp, but after less than a month since the softener was fitted, my irritation has dramatically decreased! One of the great advantages of the installation is that the softener can be easily bypassed should you wish to use a hosepipe and external tap, to water the garden. This avoids using up the Salt blocks unnecessarily.
I would like to share my great joy at owning a water system, designed to meet my needs by Hazel and Kevin at NE Water Softeners. Within a matter of days, skin conditions disappeared and I know that pure water will be doing lots more good inside, not only soft hair and skin that can be seen. I’ve saved £100’s on bottled water and no longer contribute to the global plastic burden we all hear so much about. Save money on washing detergents, with softer results. No more washer, dishwasher, kettle or tap descaling. The shower, bath and toilet are easier to clean. I wish I’d known about this years ago!
Love our water softener , the difference it has made is huge even after only 2 weeks. My Psoriasis has improved no end and my hair and scalp feel so soft and healthy , it’s like being abroad . Also the clothes and dishes need far less detergent and feel super soft and clean . Can’t recommend this product enough it really makes a huge difference for the better . Brilliant customer service and professional installation and a great team of staff . Thank you .
I chose the high spec system and am very pleased with the result. Hazel personally explained all systems to us, and was very informative and on the ball. Kevin fitted the system the very next day. He explained everything in detail as he went along and did a great job. What a professional and pleasant pair they are.
As a result of having the system installed, I immediately noticed the difference in the amount of bubbles!!! Also skin is much softer and no white marks left on the shower screen and no furring of kettles etc. I would not hesitate in recommending North East Water Softeners. They did a great job.
Before the water softener was installed we had really bad limescale on all taps, it was so bad that we had previously had to replace some taps as the limescale had eaten through the metal. Also limescale was growing quickly on the new shower which prompted us to do something about it. Within a couple of weeks of the water softener being installed the limescale started to fall off the taps plus the shower is as good as new with no horrible looking water marks and it doesn't need cleaning as much. We are also using less shampoo as it foams up easier plus we dont suffer from dry skin as much. Other benefits is that the kettle hasn't been de-scaled since and the Iron hasn't leaked any scaly water whilst using.
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