Did you know that the water from your faucet can have extra minerals like calcium and magnesium? This kind of water is called “hard water.” Hard water might not be great for your skin, especially if you have eczema. According to this article by the National Eczema Association, studies say that hard water can make eczema worse and increase the chances of getting it, especially for young kids.

But what exactly is hard water, and how can you tell if you have it at home? Water hardness is all about the minerals in the water, like calcium and magnesium. Some places in the West and Southwest, like Las Vegas and Phoenix, are known for having hard water. You might have hard water if you feel a slimy or chalky residue on your hands after washing them. When you see spots on your glasses after using the dishwasher, that can also be a sign of hard water. Hard water can even harm your clothes and fabrics.

So, how does this residue happen? Well, our drinking water comes from two main sources: surface water, like rivers and lakes, and groundwater, which is found below the Earth’s surface. Both types of water need to be treated before we use them, but hard water mostly comes from groundwater. When the water interacts with rocks like sandstone, granite, and limestone underground, it picks up extra minerals, making it hard. You can either buy tests to measure the hardness of your water, or contact East Coast Water Quality to receive a free test of your home’s water source. They usually use numbers like milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm) to tell you how hard the water is.

If you think you have hard water, you might be wondering if it’s affecting your skin. The minerals in hard water are generally safe to drink and don’t cause any health problems. But they can build up on surfaces and cause issues like clogged pipes or damaged water heaters. Using hard water on your skin over time can dry out your hair and harm the protective layer of your skin. In fact, living in an area with hard water can increase the chances of getting eczema, which is a skin condition that makes you itchy and gives you red rashes. Hard water can damage the skin’s protective layer and make eczema worse.

If you’re worried about hard water and your skin, you might consider a water softening conditioner, such as our Protector Series whole home systems. It’s like a filter that removes those extra minerals from the water. The Water Quality Association says that treating water can help with hardness issues. While studies linked in the article show that hard water is bad for eczema, as time goes on we are learning more.

In the meantime, it’s good to know more about your water’s quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asks water systems to give a report about the water’s quality every July. This report, called a Consumer Confidence Report, tells you how safe the water is to drink and has information about minerals too. If you can’t find the report or have a private well, you can call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water hotline for help. It’s important to stay informed and take care of your skin.

By understanding how hard water can affect your skin and learning about solutions like water softeners and conditioners, you can make better choices to keep your skin healthy and avoid problems. We invite you to search through and read the many testimonials from our customers on how their water conditioners from East Coast Water Quality have helped them in managing their own skin conditions.