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Allergies to chlorine result from ingesting chlorine, or from contact with chlorine. Allergies are hypersensitivities to normally innocuous or harmless substances. Chlorine is not actually an innocuous or harmless substance, so many "allergies" to chlorine are actually just sensitivities. Additionally, if you have asthma or other respiratory problems, contact with chlorine (for instance when visiting an indoor pool) may make your condition worse.

Regardless, those who are sensitive or allergic to chlorine can be treated the same way, as they may experience some of the same side effects. In the case of a chlorine allergy or sensitivity, chlorine is the allergen that triggers the body's reaction. This reaction can cause various unpleasant side-effect symptoms for the person with the chlorine allergy or sensitivity.

Avoiding exposure to chlorine is the most important thing you can do if you react adversely to contact with chlorine, whatever the reason. Chlorine exposure occurs most often with laundry and cleaning products, with tap water, and with swimming pools.

Avoid using cleaning and laundry products with chlorine in them. There are many chlorine-free options out there. Environmentally friendly products do not contain chlorine, since chlorine is considered harmful to the environment.

Chlorine in tap water can cause many problems, not just for those who are sensitive to chlorine. Pregnant women, and people with colon or bladder problems are sometimes advised against drinking tap water because of the chlorine in it. Filter your drinking water, but also consider a whole-house filter. If you have chlorine in your tap water, you are exposed to chlorine not only in your drinking water, but in the water with which you cook, in which you bathe, and in which you wash your clothes.

Chlorine in pools can cause problems for those who are sensitive to chlorine but who still want to swim. If your reaction is mild, consider trying one of the following remedies after first checking with your doctor. Showering immediately after swimming, before the water and chlorine have had a chance to dry, may reduce your symptoms. Try applying lotion or ointment in order to form a barrier between your skin and the water before you enter the pool. Apply cortisone or take an antihistamine before swimming. If your reaction to chlorine is more severe, you will have to avoid pools that use a chlorine purifying system. There are other pool purification systems out there, such as bromine. You may also want to swim in natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or the ocean. If you have asthma, you may want to avoid indoor pools. Check with your doctor about swimming in outdoor pools that use chlorine if you suffer from asthma.

Having a chlorine allergy or sensitivity can be in inconvenience, but it can be overcome. The Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe was allergic to chlorine, yet he swam in the 2004 Olympic games. Check with your doctor and explore your options. Good luck.

Learn more about this author, Vicky Harper.
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