Can Hard Water Make My Eczema Symptoms Worse?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes red, blotchy skin patches, itching, and swelling to develop on your body, particularly around your arms, neck, elbows, and behind the knees (Mayo Clinic). Eczema usually first appears at a younger age, but it can carry into adulthood and become a lifelong condition (Medical News Today).
Though there are different types of medications and DIY home remedies that may help relieve itching and reduce flare ups, if your home is using hard water, it can actually make your eczema symptoms worse.
The Relationship Between Hard Water and Eczema
If you or your child has eczema, you’ve probably tried a number of ointments and diets to help ease the irritation. The one trigger that most homeowners don’t consider, however, is that their hard water system has a huge impact on the health of their family’s skin.
So, how does hard water make eczema worse?
Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. And though minerals are essential to a healthy diet, too much mineral buildup can lead to dryness and irritation on your skin. Minerals can clog your pores, too, causing breakouts. Hard water can also make it difficult to lather soap, leaving a film on your skin that’s difficult to wash away. The constant scrubbing of your skin may additionally irritate areas that are prone to eczema flare-ups.
But hard water doesn’t just irritate skin prone to eczema or other skin conditions like acne. It affects everyone’s skin. When you bathe with hard water, your skin’s alkaline can rise from a lower acidic pH to a higher more alkaline level. This means hard water can damage your skin’s protective barrier, in turn, making you more sensitive to irritants, such as soaps and shampoos. Hard water is additionally highly alkaline, and it typically has a pH level greater than 7.
Statistics Regarding Hard Water and Eczema
Nearly 20 percent of children worldwide suffer from eczema, and the condition affects 31.6 million Americans. And because an estimated ninety percent of homes in the United States have water that is considered hard by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this could mean that people living with eczema are experiencing more skin irritation than necessary.
How to Find Relief for Your Hard Water Issues
Hard water does not cause eczema, and soft water does not cure it. However, soft water has been found to be much better for your skin’s health. Water softeners remove excessive minerals from your home’s water, making it more ideal for bathing and other household tasks, such as cleaning. And with fewer minerals, you and your family’s skin won’t be as prone to irritation.
At Aquarius Water Conditioning, we use only the best water softeners on the market. Our line of Kinetico® Water Softener will provide your family with abundantly clean, soft water on demand. From multi-tank systems powered by the energy of moving water to a more traditional approach, we offer a custom selection of water softening products, so you can choose the best option for your family, your lifestyle, and your budget!
Contact us today for a free water analysis and quote!