by Rachel Mcclain

Created on: November 05, 2007

Swimming is a fantastic low-impact cardiovascular exercise. The heart healthy benefits are numerous and there's no words to describe the refreshing tingle as your body slices through the water on a hot day. But, as with anything you subject your body to, there are some potential nasty risks. Skin and health problems can creep up on you if you aren't careful.

In order to keep the gallons and gallons of water glistening and sparkly, chemical disinfectants and chlorine are used. These chemicals work in the water to keep the pH balanced. When the pH is out of whack, especially in water that can get a little too warm, like outdoors, a heated pool or in a whirlpool or spa, problems can arise.

The most likely skin problem is simple chemical dermatitis. It's caused by bacteria, such as pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA); which grows in warm environments like whirlpools, after disinfectant breaks down. It looks like chicken pox; it's sometimes blistery and shows up anywhere from 12-48 hours after exposure and can attack the general health of the person as well, causing sore throats, runny noses, eye and ear problems and even urinary tract infections. The treatment for this starts off very simple; stay out of the pool until it clears up. You can also try baking soda baths, cool compresses and common over the calamine lotion or corticosteriod lotions. It will take about 7-10 days to clear up.

To prevent this type of infection, the pool maintainers can make sure to keep steady disinfectant and chlorine levels in the pool. Swimmers can make sure to shower with antibacterial soap both before and after swimming, helping both to keep the pool clean and washing any potential bacteria off of themselves afterward. Children should wear leak proof rubber pants or diapers when swimming. Hot tubs and spas should be drained and cleaned regularly.

Other than skin infections, there is also a risk of cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal illness that can cause watery diarrhea for up to three weeks. It's caused by a parasite spread by contaminated feces that is often found in swimming pools. The prevention of this infection is the same as the skin infection, with a few additions. If you have contracted this nasty infection, stay out of the pool until at least two weeks after your diarrhea has passed to avoid passing the infection to anyone else, and avoid swallowing water while you swim. Also, if you have been ill, make sure you notify the pool maintainer of the infection so they can properly disinfect the pool to stop the spread.

Everyone has enjoyed a refreshing swim in the summertime and stepped out rubbing their eyes from an over-chlorinated pool, or had to condition their hair from the same. But these conditions are a little over the edge. But, an ounce of prevention before swimming should help you avoid contracting these nasty complications.

Sources: www.healthy-skincare.com/swimming-pool-rash.html, www.webmd.com

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