With practically everyone back from vacation and the children about to go back to school, the heat is still on and the pools are still open, so they will continue to be a good way to end the summer. But many children are going to continue swimming lessons throughout the school year.
And with the bathrooms, some allergic reactions that chlorine pools cause in the little ones can appear.
Chlorine is a substance used to disinfect water, such as swimming pools or in drinking water supplies, as it has oxidizing properties and the ability to kill pathogens that live in it.
But it is precisely this ability to sanitize that causes it to be quite an irritating compound and that acts as a trigger for allergic reactions.
Its effects can be felt both in the respiratory tract and on the skin, either because there is too much chlorine in the pool, because the child spends a lot of time in contact with the water or because of skin sensitivity itself.
“In general, children are always the most affected, since they spend a lot of time in the water and, in addition, they have more delicate and sensitive skin than an adult,” they explain from the (SEICAP).
What effects does chlorine have on the child’s skin?
Both chlorine and contaminants introduced into the water by the bathers themselves (sweat, remains of creams, perfumes, saliva, dead skin, etc.) can have an irritating effect on the skin of the little ones.
One of the main consequences of this irritation is the appearance of . Specifically, “it is usually a flexural eczema, that is, it appears in areas of the skin that have folds”, explain the SEICAP pediatricians.
Behind the knees, in front of the elbow, in the groin area, in the armpits, in the folds of the neck or eyelids, and in women also under the breast, are the areas most affected by this type of eczema.
The reaction is not the same in all parts of the body, there are certain areas that are more sensitive and prone to suffering from these irritations. One of the especially sensitive areas is the cornea of the eyes. Normally it turns red on contact with chlorine and denotes that irritation is taking place.
What to do in the event of a reaction or irritation by chlorine?
Well, the way to act before these reactions to chlorine, whether allergic or not, is different depending on which area of the body is damaged.
In the case of suffering respiratory symptoms associated with exposure to chlorinated water, experts indicate that the most advisable thing “will be to follow the treatment prescribed by the pediatric allergist in children who are already diagnosed with and allergic rhinitis.”
“If there is no evidence that the child has any type of allergy and respiratory problems appear after swimming in the pool, it is advisable to consult with the pediatrician to assess each case,” they add.
As for the irritation of the eyes, it must be done immediately to alleviate the discomfort of the little one. “If the child has prescribed a rescue medication by his allergist pediatrician, which is usually antihistamines, orally or eye drops, it will be administered as soon as possible. In addition, the use of cold compresses can be useful to relieve itching, as well as washing with physiological saline.
Finally, regarding skin lesions, such as eczema, oral antihistamines may be used for itching. Also, it is important to apply moisturizers to restore the skin.
Recommendations to prevent allergy to chlorine
Although the days of summer bathing are numbered, there are many children who during the school year go to swimming pools as an extracurricular activity, which is why SEICAP provides a series of recommendations to avoid chlorine-derived problems in children, also during the summer. winter:
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Apply one to the child before and after being in contact with chlorine.
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Shower before and after bath. This is essential since it is necessary to ensure that the skin enters the pool water as clean as possible and the remains of chlorine and other agents must also be removed when leaving.
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Avoid, whenever possible, prolonged baths.
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Wear swimming goggles. This reduces the chances that the eyes are in direct contact with chlorine.