We used a new laundry scent booster two days ago — Downy Unstopables. My wife washed EVERYTHING, including our bed sheets, all towels, all clothing, all kitchen towels, couch pillows, etc., etc. as I had been pretty sick and she was looking to disinfect as I started feeling somewhat better.

Two nights ago I couldn’t hardly sleep. Kept tossing and turning. And itching. Eventually went to the bathroom and saw myself in the mirror and had hives EVERYWHERE.

Guys, it’s been 48 hours of absolute hell since. I’m on antihistamines and as soon as they wear off the hives return.

I hardly slept at all last night I am so uncomfortable.

I’m about to lose it. The damn rash won’t go away. Medicine seems to suppress it but then it comes roaring back.

I was resting my legs on a blanket earlier on the couch that I didn’t know was recently washed (i was wearing shorts and no socks) and within about 15 minutes my legs and feet broke out.

Anyone have any advice? We’re re-washing everything now. Sounds like I might need to go to the doctor if this doesn’t stop — apparently steroids are commonly used to end something like this?!?

I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. It’s hell.

I’ve never had something like this happen.

Scented detergents and fabric softeners give me a rash, too. Tide is particularly bad in that regard. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to “boost” the amount of smell in a scented product. Just walking down the detergent aisle in the grocery store makes me sneeze.

You might try cortisone cream to see if it helps give any relief.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel
... I can’t imagine why anyone would want to “boost” the amount of smell in a scented product. Just walking down the detergent aisle in the grocery store makes me sneeze.

You might try cortisone cream to see if it helps give any relief.

Agreed! This stuff is pointless.

And I’ve been using cortisone cream as well — helps a bit.

As long as you're rewashing, don't use fabric softener with all of the scented mystery chemicals.

I dumped the Downy and other fabric softeners approx 6 years ago after a Sigforum thread on vinegar. It's hypoallergenic, no carry through on scent (i.e. zero vinegar smell after dryer), fabric is soft, towels actually absorb water (after a while, fabric softener makes towels darn near water proof), and it's cheap. I put it in my washing machine's fabric softener dispenser and fill to line that says max.

I had been using tide for years then I got prescribed an anti fungal for finger and toe nails. Within a couple weeks my entire back broke out in hives. I stopped the medication and switched to All free and haven’t had an issue. I had to wash everything

My husband seems to be "sensitive" to everything. I say it's more like "highly reactive" to everything. I am the opposite. Can spray chemicals directly on me without issues. I love scented detergent & he uses the natural "sensitive" formulas. 1 day he really needed laundry done & was out of his detergent, I used a very small amount of "Gain" & told him. To our surprise, he did not have any reactions & that's what we've been using ever since. It all depends on what it is in the ingredients that your body is sensitive to. The vinegar really does work too. If I were having issues, I'd try the "sensitive" formulas until the rash goes away. Remember the 1 that caused all of the issues & never use it again. They make sensitive formulas for softener & dryer sheets too.

wife washed my work shirts in a new detergent once,

by the end of the day, every where that shirt touched me had swollen red, and was itching ,

started getting the scratchy throat when I got home, so we drove down to a Rx (it was Sunday pm) and talked to the pharmacist,

big dose of benedryl, rewashed every shirt with the old detergent, and I was good to go the next day, fortunately

I made a mistake and wore a pair of pants w/o washing them first. Legs broke out in a rash a few days later. Steroids took care of the problem (after the third visit to the doctor's office and being seen by a third doctor).

Ugh. That sounds miserable. If you continue to have issues after multiple washings, I'd be pretty tempted to buy a new set of sheets and bath towels to start...

quote:

Originally posted by Copefree:
Downy Unstopables.

That stuff is just plain nasty. Future wife got a piece of clothing from a friend that was washed with that - She washed it with her normal detergent and I couldn't stand to be in the same vehicle when she wore it without the windows down. Multiple washings using various methods (my scent removal soap and a liberal dousing of spray I use for my hunting clothes, vinegar, baking soda... and a 3 month stint in the freezer) knocked down the scent a little each time, but it's still there and it's been a couple years.

Fabric softener, Downy specifically, did me in a few years ago. Never had any reaction to it until I did, then hives and actual allergic reaction requiring benadryl.

Stopped using any scented laundry products altogether and no softeners at all. I use the "free" detergents of various sorts and have no problems since.