Chlorine rash is a very common condition, especially during the summer months.
People who spend a lot of time in chlorinated water, such as swimmers, are at most risk; however, anyone can experience it.
And although it is not life-threatening, it can be very painful. Not to mention inconvenient during the summertime as nobody wants to be dealing with a painful rash in warm weather.
We will take you through the need-to-know details of chlorine rash. However, please go over to Trihard for more information as they are your ultimate source on the matter.
What is chlorine rash?
A chlorine rash is a red, itchy rash that appears on your skin a few hours after swimming in chlorinated water which is also known as a condition called irritant contact dermatitis.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), dermatitis can be caused by hypersensitivity to chlorine.
What causes a chlorine rash?
Chlorine rash is a skin reaction that surfaces after exposure to chlorinated water due to possible hypersensitivity to chlorine.
At the same time, chlorine dries out the skin, which can aggravate any other skin irritations you may have and result in irritated skin.
Symptoms of chlorine rash include:
- dry or chapped skin that may worsen with repeated exposure to chlorine without preventive action
- red, inflamed, or scaly patches of skin
- burning, stinging, or an itching sensation of the affected skin
- skin that may crack or bleed after repeated contact with chlorinated water
- sores or blisters that may be pus-filled
- Irritated eyes
How to prevent chlorine rash?
Chlorine rash is not entirely avoidable, but there are preventive steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the painful reaction.
- Shower after swimming
This is to cleanse your skin of the chlorine. But be you must effectively scrub, as chlorine can leave behind a coating which will continue to irritate your skin, even after leaving the pool.
We recommend using Trihard’s After-Swim Body Wash as it helps to remove the chlorine that’s already bonded to your skin.
- Rinse your eyes with cool water/saline drops
Sensitive eyes are easily irritated by chlorine and can cause a lot of discomforts. For some relief, simply rinse your eyes with cool, fresh water to combat any irritation.
For more severe cases, apply saline drops to the eyes immediately to drastically decrease pain and itchiness.
- Moisturise before swimming
By doing this, you will create a protective layer around your skin that can neutralize the absorption of chlorine, therefore minimizing the risk of irritation. We recommend Trihard’s Pre and Post Swim Body Lotion!
- Limit the amount of time exposed to chlorinated water
The easiest way to reduce the risk of chlorine rash is to minimize the amount of time in contact with chlorine.
- Remove and wash your swimsuit after use
Doing this will ensure you don’t put on an already contaminated swimsuit the next time you go swimming, as well as removing the swimsuit that has already been exposed to chlorine.
Common Mistakes
Chlorine rash can often be mistaken for other health issues. For example, swimmers itch is another term associated with swimming. It has nothing to do with chlorine but is actually an allergic reaction to a parasite in different bodies of water.
The difference being that swimmers itch is caught in non-chlorinated water.
Chlorine kills parasites, so swimmers itch is often caught by those swimming in rivers and lakes.
It is also common to develop a heat rash or an itch from being in warm water for too long. Many of us may love the warmth, but your skin can only take so much.
So definitely take a break now and then to prevent a heat rash. Now you have all of the must-know information about chlorine rash!
Be sure to refer to Trihard for further information, and even more product recommendations to treat and prevent chlorine rash! No other company will educate you whilst simultaneously treating the rash directly.