Chlorine, other pool chemicals, and ocean water can affect eczema. Eczema is a group of noncontagious skin conditions that cause inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema.
Signs of inflamed skin include a rash, itchiness, and excessive dryness. It can affect the hands, feet, face, inside the elbows, and behind the knees. Scratching the affected areas can lead to more swelling, itching, and redness.
Although the cause ofeczemais unknown, you are at a higher risk of developing eczema if you haveasthmaorallergies. Eczema is a treatable condition, but there is no cure. Learn how to prevent flare-ups and how to treat them.
How Does Chlorine Affect Eczema?
Chlorine is the most common disinfectant used in swimming pools. Chlorine acts as a sanitizer, eliminating algae and illness-causing bacteria and germs.Skin and eye irritations can occur when chlorine levels in a swimming pool are too high or too low.
If you have eczema, you may experience skin dryness after a swim if the chlorine levels are raised. While environmental irritants can lead to an eczema flare-up, not everyone with eczema shares the same experience.
Other Pool Chemicals
Reactions to these chemicals are similar as those to chlorine. People with eczema may or may not be affected, yet calcium carbonate could hurt the skin barrier (stratum corneum, the outermost part of the epidermis), causing dryness and irritation.
Ocean Water and Eczema
Salt water, whether from the ocean or used to fill a swimming pool, can either cause dry, itchy, and irritated skin or it can soothe the skin. The way your skin reacts to the salt water depends on the severity of your eczema.
Currently, there is only anecdotal evidence on the benefits of salt water for those with eczema. More research is needed.
Causes of Eczema Flare-UpsThere are several things that can cause eczema flare-ups (worsening of symptoms), including:Irritants like soap and detergentsAllergens (dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and mold)Common food allergies (milk, wheat, eggs, soy, and peanuts)Certain textiles made from wool or syntheticsHormonal changesStress
Causes of Eczema Flare-Ups
There are several things that can cause eczema flare-ups (worsening of symptoms), including:Irritants like soap and detergentsAllergens (dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and mold)Common food allergies (milk, wheat, eggs, soy, and peanuts)Certain textiles made from wool or syntheticsHormonal changesStress
There are several things that can cause eczema flare-ups (worsening of symptoms), including:
Treating Flare-Ups
Treatments to help alleviate eczema flare-ups include:
Preventing Flare-Ups
To prevent eczema flare-ups, it’s important to first identify what’s causing them. Below are easy-to-follow steps that will help alleviate the symptoms:
Summary
Eczema is a skin condition that can cause dryness, itchiness, and swelling, and its severity depends on the individual. Certain environmental pollutants, pet hair and dander, soaps and detergents, and tight scratchy clothes may aggravate the condition.
A Word From Verywell
Eczema is a skin condition where its causes are unknown. Eczema can be uncomfortable, but it is not life-threatening. If your condition doesn’t improve with the tips provided above, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider for an assessment of your condition.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, in some people. It depends on the severity of the individual’s eczema, though. Some anecdotal studies show that salt water can alleviate some of the symptoms, but more research is needed.Eczema is a lifelong skin condition with periodic flare-ups. Once treated, it can take several weeks for the symptoms to clear up. The best way to avoid flare-ups is to manage what can trigger them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in some people. It depends on the severity of the individual’s eczema, though. Some anecdotal studies show that salt water can alleviate some of the symptoms, but more research is needed.
Eczema is a lifelong skin condition with periodic flare-ups. Once treated, it can take several weeks for the symptoms to clear up. The best way to avoid flare-ups is to manage what can trigger them.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Water treatment and testing.National Eczema Society.Swimming and Eczema.Maarouf, Melody MHS*; Shi, Vivian Y. MD†Bleach for Atopic Dermatitis,Dermatitis: 5/6 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 3 - p 120-126 DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000358Chemical Engineering News.The Chemical Reactions Taking Place in your Swimming Pool.Jabbar-Lopez, ZK, Ung, CY, Alexander, H, et al.The effect of water hardness on atopic eczema, skin barrier function: A systematic review, meta-analysis.Clin Exp Allergy. 2021; 51: 430– 451. DOI:10.1111/cea.13797Cleveland Clinic.Eczema. Reviewed October 28, 2020.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Water treatment and testing.National Eczema Society.Swimming and Eczema.Maarouf, Melody MHS*; Shi, Vivian Y. MD†Bleach for Atopic Dermatitis,Dermatitis: 5/6 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 3 - p 120-126 DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000358Chemical Engineering News.The Chemical Reactions Taking Place in your Swimming Pool.Jabbar-Lopez, ZK, Ung, CY, Alexander, H, et al.The effect of water hardness on atopic eczema, skin barrier function: A systematic review, meta-analysis.Clin Exp Allergy. 2021; 51: 430– 451. DOI:10.1111/cea.13797Cleveland Clinic.Eczema. Reviewed October 28, 2020.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Water treatment and testing.National Eczema Society.Swimming and Eczema.Maarouf, Melody MHS*; Shi, Vivian Y. MD†Bleach for Atopic Dermatitis,Dermatitis: 5/6 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 3 - p 120-126 DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000358Chemical Engineering News.The Chemical Reactions Taking Place in your Swimming Pool.Jabbar-Lopez, ZK, Ung, CY, Alexander, H, et al.The effect of water hardness on atopic eczema, skin barrier function: A systematic review, meta-analysis.Clin Exp Allergy. 2021; 51: 430– 451. DOI:10.1111/cea.13797Cleveland Clinic.Eczema. Reviewed October 28, 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Water treatment and testing.
National Eczema Society.Swimming and Eczema.
Maarouf, Melody MHS*; Shi, Vivian Y. MD†Bleach for Atopic Dermatitis,Dermatitis: 5/6 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 3 - p 120-126 DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000358
Chemical Engineering News.The Chemical Reactions Taking Place in your Swimming Pool.
Jabbar-Lopez, ZK, Ung, CY, Alexander, H, et al.The effect of water hardness on atopic eczema, skin barrier function: A systematic review, meta-analysis.Clin Exp Allergy. 2021; 51: 430– 451. DOI:10.1111/cea.13797
Cleveland Clinic.Eczema. Reviewed October 28, 2020.
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