Royal Mail Strike Action
The Communication Workers Union members within Royal Mail have decided to take industrial action on the following dates:
Friday 26th August / Wednesday 31st August / Thursday 8th September / Friday 9th September
We wont have post collections on these days and will ship orders on the following business day . Apologies for the inconvenience caused.
What Is Hard Water And Do You Have It In Your Home
The U.S Geological Survey defines water hardness as the amount of dissolved calcium, magnesium and other minerals found in water.3 Water hardness can vary throughout the country, but areas in the West and Southwest, such as Las Vegas and Phoenix, are known for having it.4,5
If youve ever felt a slimy or chalky residue after washing your hands that might be a sign that you have hard water. Spots on your glasses after a round in the dishwasher can also be a clue. Hard water can also damage fabrics and clothing.
How does this residue get there? In general, our drinking water comes from two main sources: 1) surface water such as creeks, rivers and lakes and 2) groundwater, found below the earths surface in cracks and spaces near soil, rock or sand. Water from both of source types must be treated before we drink or bathe in it, but the hard water comes from groundwater where the water interacts with rocks such as sandstone, granite and limestone picking up additional minerals. Want to check if your area has hard water? Try typing your zip code into this Water Hardness Map.6
There are also home water hardness tests available for purchase. Water hardness is commonly measured in milligrams per liter or parts per million . The U.S. Geological Survey offers general guidelines to help determine your water quality:
- Soft water: 0-60 mg/L or ppm
- Moderately hard water: 61-120 mg/L or ppm
- Hard water: 121-180 mg/L or ppm
- Very hard water: Over 180 mg/L or ppm.
How Water Softeners Can Prevent Dry Itchy Skin
If you suffer from dry skin, youre not alone. In fact, its a pretty common problem. And while there are a lot of potential causes of dry skin such as weather, stress, and your diet one often-overlooked culprit is hard water.
Hard water is simply water that contains a high concentration of minerals, like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can leave deposits on your skin, which can lead to dryness, itchiness, and irritation.
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How Am I Getting On So Far
Its early days yet as my skin was already very dry, super flaky, crusty, oozy etc. Im hoping it will make showers easier as they are currently hard to have as they trigger itching and dryness. Ill be honest, I rarely shower, finding baths much kinder to my skin.
But Ive already noticed a huge difference:
- When washing my hands the water feels silky soft and you need hardly any soap and lathering. They also dont feel dry afterwards and as hand eczema is something Im plagued with Im hoping this will help them heal.
- My mum came into the room saying my new soap felt amazing on her skin. Well it wasnt a new soap or anything fancy, just my new water softener. She was impressed!
- Im also now only using a pea sized dollop of shampoo and it lathers and feels lovely and silky soft after washing.
- Cleaning the bath is also really easy and as I bath often this is a huge win win. It doesnt leave any scum at all!
It really has only been a few weeks so far so I cant say too much, as since my skin is at all time low, things can only get better!
I will be sharing some videos and a future blog with an update in a few months so watch this space.
How Does Hard Water Affect Your Family
Hard water contains minerals which draw the oils from our skin and reduce the skins natural moisture levels. This dry skin is more prone to cracking and irritability leaving it vulnerable to germs and allergens.
Households with hard water also use more soaps and detergents which can further worsen these symptoms.
Aside from this the extra laundry detergents required to produce the same cleaning effects in hard water homes often leave hidden residues on clothing, bed linens and towels making the problem even worse.
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What Is The Connection Between Hard Water And Eczema
In 2017, a study carried out by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Kings College London found that exposing the skin to hard water damages the skins barrier, our natural defence against outside threats like bacteria, and also increases our sensitivity to potential irritants like laundry detergents.
According to the study, the skins pH is usually acidic, but hard water has high alkalinity, meaning it can raise the pH on the surface of the skin. The disruption to the skins pH damages the skins barrier, leaving it prone to bacteria and infection.
In an article about the study published on the University of Sheffields website, lead author of the study, Dr Simon Danby from the University of Sheffields Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, said:
Another contributing factor as to why children in hard water areas are 54 per cent more likely to suffer from eczema may be because people with hard water are advised to use more detergent. This is because hard water reduces the amount that detergents or toiletries foam. Detergents and many ingredients commonly used in toiletries are known to aggravate eczema, especially if used in large quantities. So, is it actually the increased use of toiletries in hard water areas that aggravate eczema and not the hard water itself? See our articles on eczema friendly laundry and bath-times for tips on how to identify detergent allergies and keep clean without the itch.
Precautions To Take When Swimming In The Sea
For the person with eczema, here are some extra precautions:
- Oozing wounds or open wounds may sting when they first come into contact with salt water. Know yourself, and how much your pain threshold is. For your own comfort, it makes sense to postpone the trip to the beach if you are in an eczema flare that is very inflamed and angry.
- Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from too much ultraviolet rays. Choose an all-natural product that works for you.
- Limit the duration in the sea and the sun, as being in salt water for too long can be too drying for the skin, such that the harm is greater than the benefits.
- At least do a quick shower after your swim, you should not let the salt water stay on your skin too long, to continue dehydrating it.
- Moisturise right after your shower. These are our recommended mosturisers, made of all natural ingredients.
- Everyone is different. Some people do not take to salt water well. If you are one of them, then just stick with those remedies that work.
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The Difference Between Hard And Soft Water
First, lets briefly go over the difference between hard and soft water.
Hard water has high amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This happens when the water comes into contact with soil or rocks.
Soft water, on the other hand, has little to no extra calcium and magnesium. Soft water can occur naturally, and hard water can be turned into soft water using a water softener.
Can Soft Water Relieve Eczema
Eczema is a dry skin condition where the infected skin becomes itchy, red, inflamed and rough. The condition is very common: it affects 20% of children aged up to 11 years old and 8% of teenagers and adults, according to dermatologists. There is no cure to eczema, but most peoples cases get better as they get older. Eczema is caused by things such as food allergies, hot and cold temperatures, allergens and irritants. It can be treated by applying heavy skin moisturizer within three minutes of bathing, taking regular warm baths and having a water softener system.
Hard water is not a cause of eczema, but it can make the infected skin more irritated. In areas where hard water is more common, the number of people with eczema is higher. Skins Matter did a study on the effects of having a water softener on people with eczema.
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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 , this could mean that people living with eczema are experiencing more skin irritation than necessary.
Soft Water Helps Your Skin And Hair Feel Soft After Bathing But What About Itchy Skin Rashes
As a child, perhaps you remember being down the Shore and your parents telling you that salt water was good for any skin ailments or rashes that you had. The salt water seemed to speed up the healing process and reduce itching and redness.
Since water softeners utilize salt to reduce hardness, what are the chances that bathing with it can improve skin conditions such as atopic eczema, psoriasis and other skin abrasions and rashes?
Theres not a lot of research available to prove its efficacy, however a couple of studies conducted in the U.K. indicated that softened water may show positive results for some children with eczema. One study was conducted in areas of the country that were notorious for hard water. Of the over 350 families who qualified, 29 were given use of a water softener for 12 weeks and then were followed up with on a monthly basis to measure the results. Their answers showed:
- 91% recorded less itchiness
- 83% maintained that the water softener reduced the severity of their childs eczema
- of the 78% regularly applying emollients or steroid cream, 67% were using less.
Perhaps more convincingly, at the end of the study, two-thirds of the families opted to purchase the water softeners. Ask your dermatologist if he or she thinks softer water could help improve your irritation.
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Can A Water Softener Help My Eczema
Eczema is a dry skin condition where the infected skin becomes itchy, red, inflamed and rough. The condition is very common: it affects 20% of children aged up to 11 years old and 8% of teenagers and adults, according to dermatologists. There is no cure to eczema, but most peoples cases get better as they get older. Eczema is caused by things such as food allergies, hot and cold temperatures, allergens and irritants. It can be treated by applying heavy skin moisturizer within three minutes of bathing, taking regular warm baths and having a water softener system.
Hard water is not a cause of eczema, but it can make the infected skin more irritated. In areas where hard water is more common, the number of people with eczema is higher. A study, by skinmatters.com, on the effects of having a water softener on people with eczema found that a water softener helped lesson the symptoms of eczema.
If Your Home Or Work Has Hard Water Could It Be Affecting Your Skin
If youre still reading and curious, you might have hard water in your home and you want to know what to do about it. Minerals found in hard water are not problematic to drink and are not known to cause any adverse health issues.8 However, they can accumulate on surfaces, leading to clogged pipes or damaged water heaters. Over time, topical exposure to hard water can also dry out your hair and harm your skin barrier. In fact, living in an area with hard water is associated with an increased risk of eczema, according to a study from researchers in London.9
By damaging the skin barrier, washing with hard water may contribute to the development of eczema a chronic skin condition characterized by an intensely itchy red rash, said Danby, lead author of the study.
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Can A Water Softener Help Eczema
19/11/2021 by Ruth Holroyd
Ive often wondered whether investing in a water softener at home could help my skin. Living in a very hard water area, my skin has always felt tight, stiff and dry after bathing and the difference when staying in soft water areas was always markedly better.I also bathed in lake Windermere a few years ago and that natural pure water felt amazing against my skin too and didnt irritate me or leave my skin tight and needing moisturiser.Its been a dream to have a water softener so now that Im finally testing one Im excited to see the results.
The Relationship Between Hard Water And Eczema
If you or your child has eczema, youve probably tried a number of ointments and diets to help ease the irritation. The one trigger that most homeowners dont consider, however, is that their hard water system has a huge impact on the health of their familys 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 thats difficult to wash away. The constant scrubbing of your skin may additionally irritate areas that are prone to eczema flare-ups.
But hard water doesnt just irritate skin prone to eczema or other skin conditions like acne. It affects everyones skin. When you bathe with hard water, your skins alkaline can rise from a lower acidic pH to a higher more alkaline level. This means hard water can damage your skins 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.
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Unconvinced Try Our Rent
While we cant be 100% certain that soft water will make you or anyone in your familys skin irritations heal quicker or feel better, you may find it useful to try out a water softener by renting one for your home to see if it helps reduce itchy, scaly skin. If you dont show any improvement, Passaic Bergen Water Softening can always come by and remove it. You also have the option of renting to own in case you decide youd like to keep the unit in your home.
To learn more, contact Passaic Bergen Water Softening by calling 697-6055 or use the handy Contact Form on this website and well be in touch.
Will A Water Softener Be Helpful During Winter
If you suffer from dry skin, you know that it can be a real problem during the winter months. The cold weather can make your skin even drier, and the dry air can leave your skin feeling tight and irritated.
A water softener will remove the minerals from your water, which can help reduce the dryness of your skin. This can be a great way to combat dry skin during the winter months.
So if youre looking for ways to improve your dry skin during the winter, a water softener is very useful for you.
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How Does A Water Softener Solves Dry Skin Problems
- Remove the minerals that cause hard water. This makes the water gentler on your skin, which can reduce the dryness and irritations caused by hard water.
- Water softeners can also prevent other skin problems caused by hard water. For example, hard water can cause eczema flare-ups. Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated.
If you have dry skin or eczema, a water softener may be able to help. This appliance can remove the minerals that cause hard water, making the water gentler on your skin.
This can lead to relief from dryness, itchiness, and irritation. So if youre looking for a way to improve your skin health, a water softener is a good option for you.
Can Water Softener Cause Skin Irritation
Water softeners are a handy way to avoid the irritation that can come with hard water. They soften your water by removing calcium and magnesium ions which cause soap scum, limescale, and other problems.
Softened water usually tastes better than untreated hard water, and for people who suffer from sensitive skin or eczema, softened water may be just what they need to soothe their symptoms.
But is softened water really safe? Is there any chance it could lead to skin irritations or other adverse effects? Thats what well take a look at in this article.
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Why Is Hard Water Bad For Your Skin
The trace minerals in hard water such as calcium and magnesium can clog and block your pipes and washing machine and leave bathrooms and kitchens stained with limescale, so just imagine what it can do to sensitive skin. It can clog skin pores which can lead to acne or eczema and it also strips the skin of its natural moisture leading to dryness, tightness and irritation and also a dry flaky scalp.
Free radicals can also form, caused by those traces of calcium and magnesium, which are known to break down collagen which keeps the skin firm.
A study done to understand whether water softeners could help eczema in children found that there seems to be a link between having a filaggrin mutation, being exposed to harder water and developing eczema.1
A genetic filaggrin mutation means that the skin is lacking the gene that helps the skin stay hydrated and moisturised, leaving it susceptible to eczema and atopic dermatitis.