For most children, vacation time is synonymous with swimming. Therefore, parents are obliged to choose a destination with a beach or at least a swimming pool. However, many hotels use chlorine to treat the pool water, even though it is a product that causes itching and irritation for some. By following this article, discover the treatments to follow in case of chlorine allergy and the other solutions available to treat the pool water.
Chlorine allergy symptoms
How do you know if you or your children are allergic to chlorine or not? If you feel a slight tingling sensation and sneeze and cough at the same time when you come into contact with pool water, you cannot tolerate the product. You may also have respiratory problems. For young children, chloramine is a factor in the development of allergies and pathologies such as asthma.
In addition, they will be vulnerable to other allergies such as dust mites and pollens. For the allergist, chloramine is more of an irritant than an allergen. It can cause irritation of the mucous membranes: itchy throat and eyes, sneezing, coughing. More rarely, it may cause breathing difficulties.
In some cases, these irritations can even trigger asthma. Swimmers who suffer from permanent irritation will be more sensitive to other allergies (pollens, dust mites). Chloramine is a risk factor for allergy rather than an allergen. Children exposed to chloramine at a very young age are more likely to develop allergies and pathologies such as asthma.
Is there a greater risk of allergy when drinking from a cup? According to the allergist, drinking a little chlorinated water by accident does not increase the risk of allergy. Chlorine can dry out the skin, but a good rinse can limit the risk.
It is a chemical substance produced by the reaction between chlorine and organic matter brought by bathers (sweat, dead skin, saliva, urine). This very volatile gas gives the smell of chlorine around swimming pools. Generally speaking, the stronger the odor, the greater the presence of chloramine.
Different treatments for chlorine allergy
If you or your children cannot tolerate chlorine, here are a few things to do after swimming in the hotel pool. Take a bar of soap and wash your body well, especially your mouth and nose, as there is a risk of letting the chlorine get inside your body. If you suffer from rhinitis, don’t hesitate to use corticosteroid-based sprays or antihistamines. Don’t forget to bring your Ventolin or follow your usual treatment for asthmatics.
If you and your children have sensitive skin, apply a moisturizer before swimming. You can also use a barrier cream if you wish. If you are concerned about your children’s health, choose a hotel that treats its pool with other products such as ozone, copper-silver ionization, PHMB polymer, UV disinfection, and bromine. Some establishments also treat the pool water with salt electrolysis, active oxygen, or biodegradable absorbents.
Preventive measures against chlorine allergy
If all the hotels you have found treat the pool water with chlorine, here are a few things you can do to limit the effects of the product. First of all, use nose plugs to avoid direct contact between the pool water and the nasal mucosa. Also, wear goggles to prevent eye irritation. Then, take 3 doses of salbutamol before and after swimming. If necessary, consult an allergist. He will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
If you have a swimming pool, you can also stay at home. This way, you can be sure to choose the right pool water treatment. It is best to contact a specialized company. A design office, teams of masons, and technicians are available to advise you on the feasibility and realization of your project. You can also use the company’s services for outdoor works, the installation of a spa, sauna-hammam, equipment and accessories for swimming pools, etc.
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