Pool Chemical Allergies

Keeping fit and having fun in the pool is great and really something that you might love doing, but have you ever experienced changes in your body after a swim in the pool? If you answered a resounding YES then there is a distinct possibility that you are actually experiencing allergy symptoms and it's about time that you learn a thing or two about it.

There has been more than one report that swimming pool chemicals can cause allergies and actual studies have shown that this happens for a fact. The allergies can vary in intensity and type depending on the person being affected regardless of whether they are physically fit or not.

Chemicals and the allergies:

1. Chlorine - the most commonly used swimming pool and hot tub chemical sanitizer is also one of the most common causes of pool chemical allergies, although some of the symptoms are actually due to chlorine intolerance and not allergy. The allergies it causes include difficulty in breathing that can lead to asthma, watery and swollen eyes, skin itchiness, and nose stuffiness.

2. Bromine - used as an alternative to chlorine as a swimming pool chemical sanitizer. Bromine can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

3. Potassium monopersulfate - a chemical used when "shocking" the swimming pool or hot tub to allow greater chlorine efficiency. It can cause skin rashes and itchiness.

4. Calcium hypochlorite - used to disinfect and sanitize the swimming pool. Calcium hypochlorite allergy includes breathing difficulties that can lead to asthma and contact dermatitis.

Possible remedies:

1. If you are really allergic to chlorine, you may want to try swimming in a pool treated with bromine or one that uses natural products, i.e. there are public pools that have begun to convert swimming pools into saltwater pools. If you own the pool that you swim in you can first try decreasing the amount of chlorine that you add in the pool water until you reach a level that would not cause any allergic reactions. If this does not work, your only alternative is to try non-chlorine based pool chemicals, oxidation, and ionization treatments.

2. Bromine is not as frequently used as chlorine so identifying your sensitivity to bromine might be a bit difficult unless you notice that your allergies only appear after you have had your fun in the pool. Chlorine-based pool chemicals, natural products, ionization, and oxidation treatments may be your alternatives.

3. If allergic symptoms begin to appear despite making sure that you have properly washed and rinsed off after taking a swim it is highly recommended that you steer clear of the swimming pool for a while. Seeking the help of a professional with regards to the symptoms that you may be experiencing is also the best remedy to your problem.