Chlorine reactions may include itchy, red skin or hives (itchy bumps). This is not an allergy but is actually “irritant dermatitis” (like a chemical burn), caused by hypersensitivity to this natural irritant. Chlorine is also drying to the skin and can irritate existing dermatitis.

How do you get rid of hives from chlorine?

At-home treatment for a chlorine rash can involve:

1. a cream containing hydrocortisone to soothe the itch and reduce swelling.
2. a cream containing an antihistamine to reduce itching and inflammation associated with hives.
3. a body wash or lotion that has been designed to remove or protect against chlorine.

What does chlorine allergy rash look like?

Chlorine rash is a red, itchy rash that appears within a few hours after swimming in chlorinated pools or hot tubs. The rash can be raised and scaly, and the skin may be swollen or tender. In some cases, hives also develop.

Can you get hives from swimming pool?

For some folks out there, swimming in a chlorinated pool can trigger a bunch of symptoms, including itchy, watery eyes, rashes, hives, or dry, itchy skin. As such, many people refer to this as a “chlorine allergy.”

How long does it take for chlorine rash to appear?

The symptoms of swimming pool rash typically occur 12 to 48 hours after a person is exposed to pseudomonas bacteria and can include: Small red bumps on skin. Blisters. A rash that affects the arms, legs, torso, or entire body.

HIVES, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

42 related questions found

Is it possible to be allergic to chlorine in swimming pools?

You may wonder are you allergic to chlorine? The answer is no, but you could be sensitive to chlorine. Chlorine sensitivity can manifest as skin issues, respiratory or nasal symptoms. Skin problems can present as itchy red skin or hives (itchy raised patches).

Can you get swimmers itch from a pool?

Swimmer's itch is a rash caused by an allergic reaction to the larvae of certain parasites. The parasites can get under your skin when you swim in freshwater (such as lakes and ponds) and sometimes salt water. But you can't get swimmer's itch from swimming pools that are treated with chlorine.

How do you prevent chlorine rash?

Some of the ways to prevent a chlorine rash include:

1. Taking a bath or shower before and after you're exposed to chlorine. ...
2. Applying petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to areas that are irritated before going into a pool or doing cleaning.

How long do hives last for?

Hives can last a variable amount of time. Usually, eruptions may last for a few minutes, sometimes several hours, and even several weeks to months. Most individual hives last no more than 24 hours.

How do you get rid of swimmers rash?

If you have a rash, you may try the following for relief:

1. Use corticosteroid cream.
2. Apply cool compresses to the affected areas.
3. Bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda.
4. Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths.
5. Apply baking soda paste to the rash (made by stirring water into baking soda until it reaches a paste-like consistency)

Can high pH in pool cause rash?

When water is too alkaline, it reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine — the pool chemical that kills pathogens. Water with a pH that's too high also can cause skin rashes, cloudy water and scaling on pool equipment.

What can hives lead to?

Epinephrine: Severe allergic reactions and swelling can lead to a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Symptoms include hives, swelling, shortness of breath, wheezing, vomiting and low blood pressure. People experiencing anaphylaxis need an immediate epinephrine injection (EpiPen®) to open a swollen airway.

What does too much chlorine do to your skin?

Too much exposure to chlorine dries out the skin and causes irritation and itchiness. Continuous exposure to chlorine over several years can result in premature aging and can affect the skin's health tremendously. Rashes It is common to get rashes when exposed to chlorine for long periods of time.

Does swimmer's itch look like mosquito bites?

As the picture to the right shows, swimmer's itch appears as a series of red welts that itch like mosquito bites. Often the welts appear in a line near the waistband or straps on your bathing suit and there's a good reason for that. arasite's eggs into the water (you can guess how that happens).

Can you get a skin infection from a pool?

Bacteria, parasites or viruses lurking in lakes, ponds, the ocean or even insufficiently chlorinated pools or hot tubs can enter breaks in the skin and increase the risk of “swimming skin infections,” such as swimming pool granuloma, “swimmer's itch,” “seabather's eruption,” and pseudomonas dermatitis (sometimes called ...

Does aloe vera help chlorine rash?

If general irritation is causing your rash, like from an allergy, aloe vera might work to soothe itching and inflammation. It might improve the appearance of the rash, too. However, proper studies are lacking to support its use over conventional treatments. Also keep in mind aloe vera can't “cure” an allergic reaction.

When should I go to the doctor for hives?

When to see a doctor

If you think your hives or angioedema was caused by a known allergy to food or a medication, your symptoms may be an early sign of an anaphylactic reaction. Seek emergency care if you feel your tongue, lips, mouth or throat swelling or if you're having trouble breathing.

When should I worry about hives?

In rare cases, hives could indicate a more serious reaction. You should seek out medical attention for hives if you observe the following: They persist for 6 weeks or longer. Effect your breathing or swallowing.

Does Benadryl help hives?

Treatments Doctors Use for Hives

Doctors usually prescribe antihistamines as a first course of treatment for hives. Acute cases can generally be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine).

How do you get chlorine out of your body after swimming?

Simply showering with soap and shampoo after you get of the pool will go a long way, too, toward getting most of the chlorine out. You can also mix a small bit of Vitamin C crystals with your body wash or shampoo to create your own swim shampoo and wash.

What causes itchy skin after swimming in pool?

Also known as cercarial dermatitis, swimmer's itch is most common in freshwater lakes and ponds, but it occasionally occurs in salt water. Swimmer's itch is a rash usually caused by an allergic reaction to parasites that burrow into your skin while you're swimming or wading in warm water.

Can water cause skin rashes?

Aquagenic urticaria is a rare form of urticaria, a type of hives that causes a rash to appear after you touch water. It's a form of physical hives and is associated with itching and burning. Aquagenic hives is thought to be a water allergy.

Does Benadryl help with swimmer's itch?

Get relief with over-the-counter treatments

Generally you don't need to see a doctor for swimmer's itch. An antihistamine such as Benadryl will decrease the reaction. Rubbing on cortisone cream or calamine lotion will also make you more comfortable, Dr.

Can you get a rash from dirty water?

If contaminated water stays on someone's skin for a long time, it can cause a rash known as “hot tub rash” (Pseudomonas folliculitis). Hot tub rash is caused by the germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Can pool chemicals cause a rash?

Rashes are common skin irritation when you spend time in a swimming pool. The most common type of rash is caused by chlorine. Chlorine rashes frequently develop on people who are exposed to high amounts of chlorine (like swimmers), but they can appear on anyone who has a sensitivity to the chemical.