Los Angeles Allergist

Los Angeles Allergist

Alan Khadavi, MD, APC
  • Home
  • Meet Dr. Khadavi
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Your First Visit
  • Insurance Accepted
  • Allergy and Asthma Info
    • Asthma Info
    • Allergic Rhinitis
    • Allergic Triggers
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Contact Us

9001 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 204
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: 310-282-8822

16260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 140
Encino, CA 91436
Phone: 818-528-7776

November 21, 2022 by Alan Khadavi

Eczema and Hard Water, is there a link?

Does hard water affect the development of eczema? Children living in areas with hard water seem to have higher rates of eczema, raising the possibility that softening water might be an effective preventive measure. A recent study evaluated the effectiveness of home installation of water softeners in preventing the development of eczema in infants with a family history of atopy.

Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. Hard water is high in dissolved minerals, largely calcium and magnesium.

Water Hardness

Eczema or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. We have discussed it previously in many blog posts.

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Treatment

Often times than not, causes of eczema are often not found. Many treatments are aimed at just improving the symptoms because underlying causes are not identifiable.

A pilot study enrolled pregnant women who lived in areas with hard water, defined as a calcium carbonate level greater than 250mg/L. Families were randomly assigned to a home installation of an ion-exchange water softener or continued use of domestic hard water.

After 6 months, visible eczema was present in 33% of infants in the water-softener group vs 48% in the hard water group. Eczema scores were also lower in the water softener group.

The study has suggested that home water softener installation is effective for the prevention of eczema in infants at high risk.

Since the early 1990s studies from various countries have shown an increased risk of eczema in hard water regions. However later studies have not shown benefit of using water softeners in the long term management of patients with confirmed eczema. Using water softeners may help the development of eczema and not necessarily the treatment of it, more studies will be needed to determine this.

Up to 85% of the United States uses hard water, with Midwest, Mountain region and South having the highest levels.

 

Filed Under: atopic dermatitis, Blog

alan-khadavi
Dr. Alan Khadavi
Allergy & Asthma Specialist

Latest Posts

January 22, 2023

Is Benadryl Safe to use, or is it Time to Move on?

is benadryl safe

January 12, 2023

Airsupra for Asthma, a new rescue medication

airsupra

December 26, 2022

Cantaloupe Allergy comes in many flavors

cantaloupe allergy

December 23, 2022

Remibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor for Chronic Hives

remibrutininb

November 21, 2022

Eczema and Hard Water, is there a link?

eczema and hard water

November 19, 2022

Nucala, Fasenra or Dupixent for Severe Eosinophilic Asthma?

nucala fasenra dupixent

November 18, 2022

Xolair for idiopathic angioedema

xolair for idiopathic angioedema

September 29, 2022

When will my child outgrow egg allergy?

outgrow egg allergy

September 13, 2022

Can you be allergic to water? (Aquagenic Urticaria)

allergic to water

September 8, 2022

Oclacitinib for Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in Dogs

oclacitinib

Read More Posts...

Follow Us…

© 2023 Allergy Los Angeles. All Rights Reserved · Log in · Return to top of page