Chlorine Rash

Chlorine is a strong chemical. It is most commonly used in swimming pools and hot tubs to disinfect. Chlorine helps keep bacteria and algae out of pools, but since it is so strong it can cause irritations to the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs. While you are swimming or sitting in a hot tub your skin becomes more porous as you soak. Also chlorine strips away the protective oils on your skin, allowing the chemicals to seep to the underlying cells, which can cause skin irritation, resulting in a rash.

Chlorine rash is a type of contact dermatitis. Which happens when exposed to chlorine. Developing chlorine rash does not mean you are allergic to chlorine. Your immune system is not responding to a foreign invader. Not everyone who comes in contact with chlorine will get chlorine rash. The severity of the rash depends on the levels of concentration of chlorine and how sensitive each individual is. Just because you have had chlorine rash once does not mean you will get it every single time you are in a pool. Since it varies on how strong the chemicals are in the pool and how long you’re exposed to them.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of chlorine rash is the discoloration of skin. For many people this means their skin turns a bright red. Other symptoms are swelling, hives or small bumps, tenderness, itchiness, dryness, scaliness, and crustiness. Some people can experience red, burning eyes as well with a chlorine rash. Symptoms do not get worse after they initially appear. If the rash seems to be spreading or not getting better you will need to talk to your doctor. Chlorine rash is not contagious, and it should not spread across your body. It can occur any place your skin comes in contact with chlorine. Some areas of your skin may be more sensitive, which can cause the rash to occur in those places.

Risks

Swimmers and lifeguards or people who have excess exposure to pools and chlorine are at higher risk of developing chlorine rash. People who have sensitive skin or other conditions like eczema may also be at higher risk.

Treatment

Chlorine rash is usually treated at home with over the counter medications. The rash usually clears up on its own after a day or two. Hydrocortisone cream which is a steroid cream can help with inflammation of the skin. Benadryl cream is a topical antihistamine, which helps reduce itching caused by hives. An emollient cream or lotion can help with moisturizing your skin deeply after exposure to chlorine. If your chlorine rash does not respond to over the counter medications or creams you will want to talk to an allergist. If you have a severe reaction that affects your breathing, you will want to speak with a healthcare provider, for a serious allergic reaction can cause serious health problems.

Prevention

The best way to prevent a chlorine rash is to limit exposure to chlorine. This can be to limit times in pools and hot tubs. Have days between exposure to chlorine to allow your skin to heal and not become overly irritated. Try to avoid pools that are overly chlorinated. Public pools usually have higher concentrations of chlorine. Pools that have chemical treatments done to them on certain days. Avoiding this can help lower the amount of chlorine you are exposed to. When exposed to chlorine make sure you shower and rinse off your body completely. After showering, change into dry clean clothes that have not come in contact with any pool chemicals. Before getting into a pool or hot tub that has chlorine you can use vaseline or waterproof sunscreen as a barrier between your skin and the water.

When To See A Doctor

Most of the time chlorine rash is nothing to worry about. If you see that the rash isn’t going away or getting better after a few days you will want to speak with a healthcare provider. If your breathing is compromised, seek medical attention in case you are having an allergic reaction to something. Chlorine rash can sometimes be mistaken for something else. A doctor will be able to look at your rash and know if it is chlorine rash or not. Other conditions that can look similar to chlorine rash are swimmers itch, hot tub folliculitis, heat rash, cold rash, or seabather’s eruption.

Takeaway

Chlorine rash is a contact dermatitis that occurs when you have been exposed to chlorine. It usually happens to people who already have some skin sensitivity and have been exposed to chlorine at high concentrations, or for long periods of time. It usually clears up with over the counter creams and should resolve in a day or two after exposure. It is most common in swimmers, lifeguards, and other people who spend a large amount of time in chlorinated pools.