A chlorine rash is a reaction to chlorine, which is often added to pool water to help disinfect it. Some preventive steps, including bathing after exposure, may reduce symptoms.
Chlorine is an element added to pools and hot tubs to help disinfect water, making it safer to swim in. It’s also added to cleaning solutions because it’s a powerful disinfectant.
Despite these antibacterial benefits, frequent exposure to chlorine
If you get a chlorine rash after swimming, you’re more likely sensitive to it rather than allergic, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). Chlorine rash is a type of irritant dermatitis, which is when you experience a skin reaction when coming into contact with an external irritant.
However, in rare cases, chlorine exposure may lead to breathing complications that could require immediate medical attention. Over
Keep reading to learn more about how to treat chlorine rash without having to avoid swimming entirely.
Chlorine could
This could lead to an itchy, dry rash that is usually accompanied by:
- hives or small bumps
- rash or lesions
- scaling or crusting
- swollen, tender skin
A common characteristic of a chlorine rash is skin discoloration (erythema).
On lighter skin tones, the rash may be easier to see because it appears red or pink. On darker skin tones, a chlorine rash may be harder to see, but it’s often detected by the small bumps, inflammation, and itchiness.
Your eyes may also be irritated from chlorine exposure. Sometimes chlorine can also be irritating to the respiratory tract. You may notice you frequently cough and sneeze when you’re exposed to chlorine.
Both a chlorine rash and swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) are swimming-related rashes.
However, a chlorine rash is a reaction to coming into contact with chlorine, while swimmer’s itch is caused by an
These parasites are released from snails into the water. When a swimmer comes in contact with them, the parasites can burrow into the skin. The result is a rash that can cause small pimples.
Identifying the difference between a chlorine rash and swimmer’s itch usually depends on where you’ve been swimming. Pools have chlorine added to them, while fresh water doesn’t. If a pool is well-maintained and uses the appropriate amount of chlorine, it shouldn’t have these parasites.
You’re more likely to experience swimmer’s itch when swimming in fresh water or salt water, especially the shallow water by a shoreline.
Not everyone who swims experiences a chlorine rash, but you may experience a chlorine rash if you’re repeatedly exposed to chlorine.
Long-term exposure to chlorine from swimming may disrupt your skin barrier function, which is the top layer of skin that helps retain moisture. This could cause the skin to become dry.
In other cases, chronic exposure to swimming may cause the immune system to eventually identify the chlorine as a “foreign invader” like a bacteria or virus and become inflamed and irritated.
Even if you bathe or rinse off after exposure, some chlorine remains on your skin. Continued exposure can cause prolonged irritation.
According to the ACAAI, you have a higher risk of experiencing chlorine rash if you’re a:
- lifeguard
- professional cleaner
- swimmer
Sometimes a pool’s caretakers may add too much chlorine to the pool. An excess of exposure to chlorine can be irritating.
You can usually treat a chlorine rash by cleaning the affected area with water and limiting your contact with chlorine.
If this doesn’t help relieve your symptoms, a healthcare professional may recommend a hydrocortisone cream to help reduce inflammation.
However, it’s best to avoid putting hydrocortisone cream on the face as it can thin the skin or get in the mouth and eyes.
If you experience hives, over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like a diphenhydramine cream or an oral medication like Benadryl could help relieve symptoms.
You can also purchase body washes or lotions that remove chlorine and are designed to soothe the skin. It’s best to avoid lotions and detergents that are perfumed, as these could further irritate your skin.
If your chlorine rash doesn’t respond to OTC treatments, speak with a healthcare professional like an allergist. They could help provide a proper diagnosis and prescribe stronger treatments, such as corticosteroid creams.
This may be best if you experience a chlorine rash but plan to continue your exposure, such as swimmers.
If you have a severe allergic reaction, such as hives that won’t go away or difficulty breathing, it’s important to get immediate medical attention. If left untreated, an allergic reaction may lead to serious complications.
Some of the ways to prevent a chlorine rash include the following:
- Take a bath or shower before and after you’re exposed to chlorine. If you apply lotions to skin that has chlorine present, it’s only likely to irritate it more.
- Apply petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to irritated areas before going into a pool or cleaning. This provides a protective barrier between your skin and the water.
- Take a break from a pool or cleaning solution that contains chlorine for a while and allow the skin to heal.
Repeated exposure when you have a chlorine rash will likely only irritate the skin further.
How long do chlorine rashes last?
Symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis usually appear
Can chlorine rash spread?
A chlorine rash is not contagious, which means it cannot be transmitted to other people.
A chlorine rash happens when you experience a skin reaction to chlorine.
This most commonly occurs from swimming in pools with chlorine, but it could also happen when you’re exposed to products that contain chlorine.
Some OTC products could help treat a chlorine rash. Speak with a doctor if these don’t help, they may recommend other treatments.