Effects of Pool Chemicals and How to Prevent Irritation

The Effects of Chlorine in Airways Swimming Pools

Swimming in pools is a fun way to exercise and beat the summer heat. However, extended exposure to chlorinated pool water can lead to undesirable effects on your hair, skin, and respiratory system. Airways swimming pools use chlorine as the primary disinfectant to keep pool water clean and prevent germs from spreading. But chlorine can be harsh on the body with repeated contact.

Why Airways Swimming Pools Use Chlorine

Chlorine is added to pool water for its strong disinfectant properties. It kills bacteria, viruses, molds, and algae that could otherwise flourish in warm pool water. Properly chlorinated pool water helps prevent recreational water illnesses that spread via pools. So while chlorine exposure can lead to personal discomforts, it also serves an important public health purpose.

The Dose Makes the Poison

Chlorine alone is not inherently dangerous at low levels. In fact, small amounts of chlorine are added to many municipal drinking water systems for disinfection. But the higher levels found in pool water mean more frequent exposure for swimmers. The dose and duration of exposure impacts the risk and severity of side effects.

5 Annoying Issues Caused by Pool Chlorine Exposure

Many swimmers shrug off dry hair and occasional eye irritation after a dip in the pool. But repetitive long-term exposure can produce more chronic problems in some people. Here are 5 annoying ways prolonged contact with pool chlorine can affect your body.

1. Dry, Brittle Hair

The moisture-stripping properties of chlorine are hard on hair over time. Dry, brittle hair that breaks more easily can result from routine swimming. Blonde hair seems particularly prone to damage. The disinfectant wrecks havoc on hair proteins and leaches out moisturizing oils. It can create frizzy split ends and a straw-like texture.

2. Red, Irritated Eyes

Anyone who wears contacts knows never to open your eyes underwater in a pool. But even without submerging your head, airborne chlorine vapors can lead to pink eye over time. The chemical irritation causes redness, stinging, and watery eyes. For some sensitive individuals, significant inflammation and even blurred vision can occur.

3. Respiratory Discomfort

Inhaled chlorine gas is no joke and leads to coughing fits. But even low-level exposure during normal swimming can irritate airways in some people. Symptoms like chest tightness, wheezing, sneezing fits, sore throat, and runny nose signal respiratory inflammation. People with asthma may be more susceptible to breathing issues from chronic chlorine irritation.

4. Dry, Itchy Skin

The outer lipid barrier of skin helps lock in moisture and keep irritants out. But pool chemicals break down those natural oils. The result is flaky, dehydrated skin lacking its normal protective oils. Significant itching, chaffing, eczema flares, and dermatitis can occur after repeated long soaks.

5. Swimmers Ear Infections

Swimmers ear is a painful ear canal infection caused by trapped bacteria in lingering pool water. The warm, moist environment promotes fungal overgrowth too. Cotton swabs used to dry ears often just push germs deeper inside. Redness, itching, discharge and reduced hearing signal an outer or inner ear infection has taken hold.

6 Tips to Prevent Pool Chemical Damage

While chlorine serves an important sanitation role in pools, swimmers dont have to just grin and bear the negative consequences. There are several best practices that can help prevent or reduce personal discomfort from chemical irritation.

1. Shower Before and After

Rinsing off in the shower before a swim removes dirt, sweat, skin oils, styling products, and sunscreens that all consume chlorine. That leaves more free chlorine to actually disinfect the water instead of using up all its cleaning power on you. Showering after swimming removes clinging chlorine along with other pool gunk that can clog pores and cause further issues. This simple habit reduces chemical absorption through your hair and skin.

2. Moisturize Post-Swim

Hydrating moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and oils help replenish depleted lipids and reinforce the skin barrier. After showering, apply rich creams or natural oils like coconut, argan, jojoba, or marula while skin is still slightly damp. The humectants pull moisture into the skin for hours of soothing relief from dryness and itching.

3. apply Leave-In Treatments

Spray-on leave-in conditioners, masks, and oils formulated for chlorine-damaged hair offer an added shield of hydration. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, argan oil, keratin, silk amino acids. These nourishing compounds penetrate the hair shaft to smooth and soften from within. Comb through from roots to ends after washing chlorine away.

4. Seal Hair in a Cap

Limit chemical contact with hair by wearing a snug swim cap. Choose latex or silicone caps that fully enclose hair rather than loose lycra styles. Apply a pre-swim leave-in conditioner too. Combine strategies to protect those fragile strands and avoid dry, brittle hair down the road.

5. Rinse Eyes After Swimming

Whether using saltwater or eye drops, a quick rinse helps flush irritants from the eyes after pool time. Sterile saline eye washes safely clear out clinging chemicals to prevent painful redness and irritation. For itchy eyes post-swim, an OTC eye decongestant like Zaditor or Opcon-A can provide relief too.

6. Stay Hydrated

When the body lacks adequate fluids, irritation from exposures can worsen. Proper hydration keeps mucous membranes in top shape to function as protective barriers. Aim for the recommended daily fluid intake, but bump up your water and electrolyte intake on days you swim. Adding moisture from the inside out offsets some of the drying effects of spending time in chlorinated water.

The Takeaway on Pool Chemical Exposure

Chlorine and other pool disinfectants serve an important public health role, but can be problematic for some swimmers after repetitive exposure. Rinsing off before and after swimming, sealing hair under a cap, and moisturizing skin and eyes post-swim limits chemical absorption. Some discomfort may be unavoidable for frequent swimmers, but small tweaks to your routine can help minimize annoying issues from pool sanitizers.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.