So, you’re having an unexplained skin reaction or symptom, like itchiness, dryness, or redness. Did you already rule out an allergy to food, skincare products, or laundry detergent as the possible culprit?
Then the problem could be your well water.
Your Well Water Might Be Hard Water
If your home uses well water and your skin has been acting up lately, then your well water’s mineral content could be to blame.
You see, before your water gets to your well, it often percolates through limestone and chalk in the ground. As a result, well water may contain high concentrations of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. When your well water has high mineral content like this, it’s considered hard water. And, as you may already know, hard water is not something you want in your home.
It’s known to leave mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures, which can lead to low water pressure and appliance performance issues. And when hard water mixes with soap, it barely creates a lather and leaves a white, scummy residue all over the shower.
Unfortunately, that nasty residue also remains on your skin, where it causes lots of problems.
Well Water and Skin Problems
The main reason hard water is bad for your skin is that it creates soap scum that blocks your pores.
When we think of blocked pores, we usually think of pimples and zits—and for good reason. After all, when your pores are clogged up, they’re unable to release your body’s natural oils. Those oils get trapped, along with dirt and bacteria, which ultimately inflames your pores and leads to unwanted blemishes on your skin.
However, blocked pores can also cause other negative effects. Since your body’s natural oils are trapped in your pores and aren’t being distributed, they aren’t able to lubricate your skin or help your skin retain moisture. That, plus the fact that the minerals in hard water further strip away your natural moisture, leads to very unhappy skin overall.
The result? Skin that feels tight, dry, itchy, and generally irritated. In more extreme cases, individuals may even develop eczema.
A Water Softener Could Help
It’s not all bad news, though. If you treat your well water with a water softener system, you’ll have water that’s better for your plumbing, appliances, and skin. We call that a win-win-win.
To learn more about installing a water softener system, call Goold Wells & Pumps! We’ll run a test of your well water to confirm its mineral content, and then we’ll set off finding the optimal solution for your home. We’re here to help residents in Albany, Valatie, Grafton, and beyond.