Does Hard Water Have an Impact on Your Health?

Oct 25
10:18

2009

Idalia Luczak

Idalia Luczak

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate, approximately 60% of UK households do not have soft water. Filled with calcium and magnesium, it stains basins, leaves limescale in kettles and discolours laundry. With no soft water flowing through pipes and out of the tap, it is important to understand the health effects of hard water.

mediaimage

The National Research Council (NRC) states that drinking hard water does not pose health risks. Although hard water is generally safe for drinking,Does Hard Water Have an Impact on Your Health? Articles the NRC recommends more studies to uncover the correlation between other health issues and not soft water.

The NRC notes a 2007 study that recognises a link between hard water and eczema in young children. Eczema is a non-contagious condition, resulting in severe dryness, itching and rashes on the skin. Researchers in Nottingham studied primary school children and found that bathing in hard water exacerbated their eczema. Authors of the study are unsure if the skin irritants were the calcium and magnesium or the extra soap and shampoos needed to build lather in such water.

This kind of water certainly does not cause skin conditions, like eczema, but its effects can cause increased irritation to sensitive skin. Finding relief hasn't been easy for those with skin conditions, but continual medical research can provide a solution to soothe the discomfort of sufferers. Although the actual reason for increased irritation of the skin is unclear, what is clear is that not soft water affects sensitive skin. It is possible to address this water problem in your home, and water softener could offer the help you need.