All water carries mineral deposits in it, but mineral rich water referred to as "hard water" can be damaging to your skin particularly in young children. Bathing children in hard water can increase the risk of eczema (atopic dermatitis). “Patients with eczema are much more sensitive to the effects of hard water than people with healthy skin,” said Dr. Simon Danby from the University of Sheffield’s department of infection, immunity and cardiovascular disease in a statement (“The Hard Truth About Eczema: It’s Something in The Water.” The University of Sheffield Press Release, 21 September 2017. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/eczema-treatments-research-hardwater-skin-conditions-1.731633)
Aside from hard water, some of the most common other irritants for Eczema are dust, pollen, dry climate and pollution. Arizona is lucky enough to have all of these irritants (Eczema Can Affect Us All, but Some More Than Others (webmd.com).
So, what is one way we can help prevent Eczema and prevent dry skin flares from happening? One easy fix is to clean up your water. The National Eczema Association gives a link on their website where you can type in your zip code and see the Water Hardness for that area (link below). Phoenix has an Average Water Hardness of 230 PPM, Scottsdale is even higher at 343 PPM, compare that to Denver at 72 PPM.
Trials are currently being done to see if softeners can help reduce the risk of eczema in babies (SOFTER trial | National Eczema Society). If you're unsure about your water, there are several ways to check it call us today and we can help you test your water!
Check out more info on eczema Get the Facts: Hard Water | National Eczema Association
- Water Mama