Swimming pool related skin problems

Swimming pool is one of the place from which you acquire a lot of infections. The infections may be respiratory, gastro-intestinal, ear or eye and most commonly it is a skin infection. The pools may look very clean to our eyes, still has a lot of organisms swimming in them. Any communicable disease easily spreads through swimming pool. Swimming pool management does all possible ways to prevent such infections and it's our responsibility to avoid spreading infection to others as well as getting it from them.

Some of the common skin problems caused by swimming pool are as follows:

DERMATITIS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes dermatitis which erupts as a bumpy red rash within a few days of swimming in contaminated pools. Though the body is protected with the swim wear the exposed areas come in contact with such organisms and are affected.

CHLORINE IRRITATION: The next common condition is skin irritation caused by too much chlorine in swimming pools. Pools are periodically disinfected with chlorine to fight organism that causes cholera and typhoid. But there should be a specific amount of chlorine to be mixed with the water in swimming pool, when the limit exceeds it causes skin irritation.
Chlorine makes the skin to be dry and itchy which ultimately leads to cracking, eczema and premature aging.

SWIMMING POOL GRANULOMA: Mycobacterium marinum causes this chronic skin infection which is common among regular swimmers. They start as a small lesion and grow big, causing skin break down which sometimes leads to infection and other complication. They are treated and completely cured with antibiotics.

MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM: This is a viral skin infection caused by Molluscipox virus. This disease is said to occur commonly in people who live in crowded areas and many cases are reported from swimming pool use. They are papular eruptions that occurs in groin, genital areas, thigh and lower abdomen. Cryocautry is the treatment of choice.

PLANTAR WARTS: These occur on the soles of the feet. They are hard, thick patches of skin with dark specks. Plantar warts may cause pain when you walk they do not need any active treatment.

Swimming is fun and a very good exercise, enjoy the best part of it but keeping your pool clean. Avoid swimming when you have any kind of infections and parents follow instructions for your children. This is the best way to avoid skin problems in swimming pool.