Why Swimming Pools Cause Itchy Skin And How To Keep It From Happening

It feels amazing to dive into a refreshing pool during the sweltering summer months. But as soon as you get out of the water, you realize your skin is itching. Known as “swimmer’s itch,” this irksome drawback of swimming is surprisingly widespread. Read on to discover the reason behind skin irritation caused by pool water and how swimming pool contractors in Dubai may assist avoid it happening again.

What Causes Swimmer’s Itch?

Cercarial dermatitis, another name for swimmer’s itch, is an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that may survive in pool water. Infected snails discharge their parasites into the water. The larvae bury themselves in your skin, triggering an allergic reaction that leaves the areas of your body exposed to the water red, with itchy welts, and a rash.

Millions of individuals get swimmer’s itch in lakes, ponds, and seas every year, but it may also happen in swimming pools. There are several ways in which parasites might inadvertently enter public and backyard pools:

– On the bodies of infected snails or birds
– Carried in on the feet or swimsuits of swimmers
– Transported in contaminated water used to fill the pool

Once established, the parasites multiply. Chlorine and other chemicals meant to keep water clean and clear unfortunately do not always kill them off.

Itchy Skin Triggers

The timing and location of itchy welts point to the swimmer’s itch as the culprit rather than a simple allergic reaction to chlorine or other chemicals. Swimmer’s itch symptoms usually pop up within 12 hours but can start in as little as 10 minutes after swimming.

The location of the rash provides clues too. Swimmer’s itch usually affects the parts of your body that were most exposed to water and rubbing against your swimsuit including:

– Torso
– Legs
– Arms
– Neck and face

The itchy rash typically lasts up to a week and may be accompanied by symptoms like:

– Hives
– Tingling Skin
– Small Blisters
– Headache
– Fever
– Fatigue

Preventing Swimmer’s Itch

While swimmer’s itch cannot always be prevented, the key is keeping pool water clean and free of parasites through proper maintenance. Here are some top tips:

Test Water Frequently
Check chemical levels including chlorine, pH, and alkalinity with test strips once a week or more when actively using your pool. Adjust chemicals if outside the normal range.

Shock Treat Regularly
Using pool shock weekly or biweekly helps control algae growth and kill microorganisms. Make sure to allow proper contact time before swimming again.

Maintain Proper Filtration
Run your pool’s filter system sufficiently each day and clean out filters regularly to remove waste and impurities from the water. Consider upgrading old cartridge filters to more efficient sand or DE filters.

Brushing
Use a pool brush daily when in use to keep all surfaces smooth and remove any tiny pests clinging to walls and floors. Pay special attention to corners and the water line.

Vacuum
Use your cleaning vacuum weekly or more often to get rid of debris from pool floors and surfaces where larvae or parasite eggs can hide.

Consider bringing in professional services for pool cleaning in Dubai if you are struggling to stay on top of maintenance yourself. They use specialized techniques and equipment including pressure washing to keep water in tip-top shape.

While a swimmer’s itch is difficult to control, the payoff of preventing repeated itchy and painful rashes is well worth stepping up your pool maintenance protocol. Protect your family’s skin and keep your pool water sparkling and irritation-free by testing and adjusting chemistry properly, shocking regularly, and thoroughly brushing and vacuuming all surfaces inside the pool.