How to test whether my toddler is allergic to detergent?
Background:
We use normal detergent for our toddler's clothes. Our toddler regularly develops skin rashes over most of his body; we use creams prescribed by an allergy specialist to keep the rashes under control.
I'm allergic to SLS (I get tons of canker sores when I use regular toothpaste), so I suspect my toddler may be allergic to such detergents.
Question:
What's the best way to test? If the answer is "wash his clothes with a natural or mild detergent", please note that natural SLS (e.g. Tom's of Maine) iritates me just as much as synthetic SLS, and liquid soaps with SLS are often labeled as mild/gentle. I am very interested in hearing of specific laundry products which are known to not have any detergents.
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I wouldn't recommend testing an allergen on your child by yourself - that's something which should occur at your dr's office. That way, if there's a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) you and your child will be in good hands.
You say you're allergic to natural SLS (which is derived from coconut and/or palm kernel oil) - you might do well to see if you also have an allergy to those compounds too. If not, it might be something else in the formulation which is causing it. If it is coconut and/or palm kernel that's triggering your allergy, then things get trickier as most 'eco friendly/allergy friendly' alternative laundry detergents will contain one of the two for its foaming cleaning action.
I'd suggest a trip to the allergist to have you and your child checked.
In my experience with babies who have sensitive skin, a useful tactic for limiting reactions is to avoid products with scents.
Since you're allergic, what sort of detergent do you use personally to prevent negative reactions? Can you use those products for your toddler and see if the problem clears up?
My daughter used to have a reaction when we used normal detergents. When we started washing her clothes in "Lux Pure Soap Flakes" the problem went away. Eventually we were able to move her to Amolin detergent which means that we could use our washing machine for her stuff and did not have to wash her's separately to ours.
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