Hard tap water can leave skin itchy, hair dry and even cause stomach problems
Having hard water at home might not seem like a pressing issue, especially as certain areas of the country are more prone to it.
Hard water refers to water that has high mineral content and can therefore cause limescale build up in your pipes and kettles, among other things.
But experts have warned this can also have a negative impact on our health, with some disturbing results.
Andy Ellis, bathroom expert at SteamShowerStore, explained: “Most start to notice signs of hard water after picking up on a slight mineral taste when drinking out of the tap.
“At first it can seem harmless, but prolonged exposure to hard water can result in digestive issues and itchy scalps which can make the problem uncomfortable to live with.
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“It’s always worth installing water softeners and calling plumbers in to remove limescale from the pipes to prevent the issue from getting worse.”
He warned that itchy skin, stomach problems and dry hair are all signs of hard water at home.
Itchy skin
If your skin gets itchy shortly after bathing it’s “likely” due to the water system pushing out high-mineral content, Andy said.
He continued: “The minerals strip the natural oils from the body making the skin dry and resulting in uncomfortable itching.”
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Stomach problems
If your stomach starts hurting after drinking water you might need to seek help.
“General consumption of hard water is safe to drink, but excessive usage can cause the minerals to upset your stomach,” Andy said.
“Make sure to contact your water supplier if you notice your stomach hurting after consuming tap water.”
Dry hair
Water high in minerals could leave your hair dry and your scalp itchy.
Andy said: “Hard water from the showerhead can strip natural oils from hair leaving it dry.
“It can also cause an itchy scalp as hard water can leave residue.”
There is also the risk that hard water can cause mould to grow in your home, which can cause other health issues.
“Hard water can cause soap scum to form around the shower which can then develop into mould,” Andy added.
“If you notice any build-up of soap scum, make sure to use white vinegar and lemons to clean it off before it turns to mould.”
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