Laundry Washing Habits of Mothers of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Detergent, Fabric Softener, Stain Remover, and Bleach

Abstract Background The incidence of atopic dermatitis in children has increased in recent years. Environmental factors play a significant role in the development and severity of atopic dermatitis. One such environmental factor may be the mother's hygiene habits and the detergents she uses to clean clothes. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between the routine weekly laundry habits (washing frequency and amount, additional laundry products used, and detergent content) of mothers of children with atopic dermatitis and the severity of the disease, and to compare these habits with those of mothers of healthy children. Method This prospective case-control study was conducted between July 2023 and November 2024. Two hundred four mothers participated in the study, including mothers of children under three years of age with atopic dermatitis (n = 104) and mothers of healthy children (n = 100). The frequency and amount of laundry washing, the use of additional laundry products (fabric softener, stain remover, and bleach), and the detergent composition were compared between the two groups. The potential association between atopic dermatitis severity and laundry washing habits was also evaluated. Results The frequency of detergent use was similar between the atopic dermatitis and healthy children groups (p < 0.05). However, the atopic dermatitis group used more detergent than the healthy children group (p = 0.001). It also used more stain removers and bleach (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). More benzisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone compounds were determined in the detergents used by the atopic dermatitis group compared to the healthy children group (p = 0.041; 0.041; 0.021, respectively). The atopic dermatitis group used more detergent (odds ratio, 4.797 [95% CI, 1.679–13.710], p = 0.003), stain remover (odds ratio, 2.064 [95% CI, 1.134–3.756], p = 0.018), and bleach (odds ratio, 3.144 [95% CI, 1.613–6.128], p = 0.001) than the healthy children group. No relationship was determined between severity of the disease in the children with atopic dermatitis and mothers’ laundry washing habits (p < 0.05). Conclusion The mothers of children with atopic dermatitis use more laundry detergent and additional laundry products and are exposed to a greater variety of chemicals. No relationship was observed between detergent use habits and the disease.