Eczema &
health benefits

So, can hard water cause eczema? While the root cause of eczema can be traced to genetics or an overly reactive immune system, the effect of environmental factors are evident.

Medical research has shown that hard water can dry out your skin, triggering more serious conditions like eczema. For example, Dr Simon Danby, from the Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease at Sheffield, found that washing with hard water “may contribute to the development of eczema”. He added that people with eczema are “much more sensitive to the effects of hard water than people with healthy skin.”

Also, the NHS lists hard water and detergent products as possible causes of irritant contact dermatitis. Dry, flaking skin is an unpleasant feeling, but skin conditions aggravated by hard water dryness can be more severe and pretty painful.

According to the National Eczema Society, eczema affects one in five children and one in ten adults in the UK. The severity and causes of the condition can vary, so if you find yourself searching for “can hard water cause eczema?”, not to worry, we have the answers.

This is why so many people try to protect their family’s skin from unnecessary discomfort by installing a water softener in their home. We sat with Anne-Marie Crawford-Flanagan and asked how Kinetico water softeners had impacted her and her son, Dylan. She had this to say:

“We went on the internet and did a bit of research. I came across the Kinetico website, so I gave them a ring, somebody came to the house, and we got the water softener installed. Within a couple of weeks, we started noticing a difference; from where [Dylan’s] skin used to be oozing and really wet, it was starting to dry up.”

The minerals in hard water and the soap scum they produce absorb the natural oils and moisture in our skin, destroying its natural barrier and leaving it vulnerable.

When the skin dries and cracks, in more serious cases, germs, allergens and bacteria can enter those gaps, causing the symptoms of eczema. Eczema sufferers may find hard water aggravates their condition further by drying out their skin even more.

On top of this, people in hard water areas need to use more soap when showering in order to clean themselves properly, and excess product can further irritate dry or sensitive skin. Even if you’re careful with the bathing products you use, doing laundry in hard water areas requires extra detergent for effective cleaning.

This leaves a residue on clothing, towels and bed linen that can aggravate underlying skin conditions, causing discomfort and irritation.

All it takes is a simple phone call, and you can book a consultation with a water expert so they can inspect your water and help you decide which system is best for you.