Swimming, while beneficial for overall health, can unfortunately worsen allergy symptoms for some individuals. This is primarily due to the effects of chlorine, a common pool chemical.
Chlorine's Impact on Allergies
Chlorine, used to disinfect swimming pools, is a potent irritant. It can directly irritate the skin, causing rashes and dryness, and exacerbate existing conditions like eczema or dermatitis. The reference, "Chlorine Rash Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention," highlights this effect, stating that a chlorine rash is a common reaction. Furthermore, chlorine's irritating effects extend to the respiratory tract. As noted in one of the provided sources, "[Chlorine is also drying to the skin and can irritate existing dermatitis. Chlorine may indirectly contribute to allergies by irritating and sensitizing the respiratory tract]". This irritation can trigger or worsen allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, stuffy nose, or coughing. Even if you don't have a direct chlorine allergy, as explained in "Chlorine Sensitivity versus Allergy," sensitivity to chlorine can cause similar reactions.
Other Contributing Factors
Besides chlorine, other factors can contribute to worsening allergy symptoms after swimming:
- Pool contaminants: Pools can contain other allergens like pollen, mold spores, or other irritants that can exacerbate allergies.
- Pre-existing conditions: Individuals with pre-existing respiratory allergies or skin conditions like eczema are more susceptible to experiencing worsened symptoms after swimming. The article "Eczema and Exercise" notes that exercise, including swimming, can sometimes worsen eczema.
- Swimmer's itch: In some cases, a reaction to parasites in the water, known as swimmer's itch (Swimmer's itch - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic), can mimic allergy symptoms.
Mitigating the Effects
To minimize the worsening of allergy symptoms after swimming, consider these steps:
- Shower thoroughly: Rinse off chlorine immediately after swimming.
- Use protective gear: Consider wearing swim goggles to protect your eyes from chlorine irritation, as suggested in "Signs You May Have a Pool Chlorine Allergy."
- Moisturize: Apply moisturizer to your skin to counteract the drying effects of chlorine.
- Avoid swimming during high pollen seasons: If pollen is a significant allergen, choose to swim when pollen counts are lower.
