Expert issues warning over common household ingredient

After a mum claimed it “burnt” her family’s skin, a dermatologist has urged consumers to look out for a problematic ingredient.

A leading dermatologist has issued a warning about a common household ingredient after an Aldi shopper’s post went viral on social media.

Dermatologist Dr Katherine Armour, founder of Bespoke Skin Technology, has urged consumers to be cautious when using products containing benzalkonium chloride, an ingredient found in some personal care and household cleaning products.

The warning follows a post shared in the popular Facebook group, Aldi Mums, where a shopper described a concerning experience after using the $4.29 Di San Laundry Sanitiser sold at the supermarket.

“PSA – do you use the Laundry Sanitiser?” she asked the group. “Well, I was, and everyone in my family was complaining about a burning feeling on various parts of the body.”

Through the process of elimination and a costly trip to the skin specialist, the mum discovered that the product’s active ingredient – benzalkonium chloride, clearly labelled on the packaging – can cause adverse reactions in some people.

“It literally burnt our skin,” she claimed.

The active ingredient in some laundry sanitisers, benzalkonium chloride, can cause adverse reactions in some people. Picture: Supplied

Dr Armour explained that benzalkonium chloride is an organic salt widely used for its antifungal and antiseptic properties.

She explained that while most common laundry detergents, such as OMO or Radiant, don’t typically contain this ingredient, it is found in some sanitising products, like the one mentioned in the woman’s post.

“As a dermatologist, the products we see issues with are these antiseptic rinse-aids that people feel compelled to put in the wash, in addition to their primary laundry detergent,” she told news.com.au.

“The product can get stuck in the fabric of certain clothes and cause irritation.”

Dr Armour said there were several types of skin reactions people may experience after contact with benzalkonium chloride.

The most common is Irritant Contact Dermatitis, where the chemical directly irritates the skin.

“This is likely what the family in this case experienced,” she suggested.

“Then there’s Allergic Contact Dermatitis,” she said, “which is far more of a problem, as it can mean you’ll be allergic to that ingredient for life. So if you come into contact with it in the future, you will have problems.”

Then there’s Granular Parakeratosis, a rarer condition that occurs when the chemical becomes trapped in body folds, leading to peeling and discomfort.

Dermatologist Dr Katherine Armour has issued a warning against the pesky ingredient, after seeing a spike in patients having issues with it. Picture: Supplied

Dr Armour advised that anyone experiencing skin irritation after using a product containing this ingredient should stop immediately.

“In the future, examine the ingredients list carefully,” she said.

In terms of managing the reaction, she recommended using gentle body washes such as CeraVe or Cetaphil, along with a fragrance-free moisturiser applied daily.

“If they need to, see a GP or dermatologist who might prescribe a topical anti-inflammatory or a steroid cream,” she added.

When asked if products like the one in the woman’s post are necessary for hygienic cleaning, Dr Armour emphasised, “It’s 100 per cent not necessary to use a rinse aid or sanitiser like this at all. You could do a hot wash if you like.”

Since Covid-19, she has seen an increasing amount of patients presenting at her clinic with reactions to benzalkonium chloride.

This is likely due to people becoming more germ-phobic and using stronger laundry products, according to Dr Amour.

It’s important to remember everyone’s skin will react differently to certain products. Picture: Supplied

The original post sparked a range of responses from others who had experienced similar issues.

“Thank you. I’ve been using it in my husband’s washing who is bedridden, and he has had a terrible flare-up of skin problems,” one woman wrote. “This could be the cause. I will stop using it.”

“OMG! I’ve been getting a weird, itchy rash when I wake up in the mornings and it hit me. I use this on my bedding. I never put the two and two together until this post,” another replied.

Other parents shared accounts of using the product on their children’s clothes and reusable nappies.

“My daughter broke out in a MASSIVE rash from using this! She was so itchy, it was horrible,” a mum revealed.

However, some users said they’ve found no issue with the product.

“I have sensitive skin and use this occasionally in the wash. Everyone’s skin will react differently. Glad you found what was giving you irritation, though,” one group member wrote.

“I’ve been using it for decades. Everyone’s skin is different, like any product we put in the wash or on our bodies, what is good for one is not good for another,” a different woman added.

News.com.au understands that customers who have been affected by similar issues are encouraged to provide feedback to Aldi directly via the help centre.

Customers can return any product they are not satisfied with for a full refund or replacement.