Allergic to the pool?

Question

I like to swim laps at the local pool. I never had a problem with this before but now everytime I swim my nose starts running and i start sneezing uncontrollably. My face also feels burned after swimming. I'm not sure what to do about this problem bc i really want to swim my laps and that's the only pool around this area.

Also I take a shower and wash off everytime after i swim..
I'm just wondering if there is any lotion or any herb that could prevent this from happening.

I do not like taking medications, so I'd rather find something natural. Also I've tried putting "Cetaphil" lotion on my face before I swim, but it still happens.

Is there anything that can help? Also, does anyone know why i would have an allergic reaction now and not before [about a year ago]?

Answer 1

It could be that just right now there's something in the water that's affecting you. Sometimes things get spilled in the pool that shouldn't be there (usually it is in such a small amount compared to the pool size it doesn't matter, though)... Perhaps a bit too much chlorine was put into the system.

I swam for years and years and my nose would get runny every time. For some people, when in the water it just happens.

With your face burning, that leans toward a combination of dry skin and too much chlorine in the pool. Wash your face gently, but thoroughly, after you swim. Get a good face lotion (clinique's moisturizer is good) and apply immediately after the wash. Keep your face moisturized.

If you're getting rashy, definitely see a doctor. It may be something else that is wrong with your skin and the chlorine is just aggravating it because it's already irritated.

Answer 2

Public/club pools are typically operated with a much higher percentage of chlorine to precompensate for the swimmer load one would use at home, so you're basically getting a chlorine burn not an allergic reaction.

The pool may have been accidently overchlorinated as well, and since chlorine burns off faster with heat and longer sun exposure, the maintenance people will tend to load more chlorine into it during the summer than they would in the winter. If the chlorine level were ever todrop below the minimum level, bacteria and algae would take over in a big hurry and are harder to kill off than to prevent in the first place.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is use goggles, a nose clip to keep water out of your nose and some sort of waterproof lotion on your face to minimize your skins exposure. I'd say vaseline/petroleum jelly but there are likely better products than that. There are some waterproof sunscreens available and probably are the best choice for more than one reason.

Answer 3

It is probably just the chlorine in the pool, and it helps open up your sinuses. The burning on your face is probably because they have add chlorine recently or they added too much. I don't think it is an allergic reaction or else you would of had it before. Ask the person who takes care of the pool maybe they can give you some advice.

Answer 4

It sounds like you are allergic to the chlorine. It bothers me too. I will sneeze for twelve hours after I get out of the water. The only thing that helps me is an antihistamine. I usually swim in the lake where there is no chlorine.