Swimming is one of the best parts of summer — but if your kiddo has eczema or asthma, all that chlorine can come back to bite. The good news? With a few simple steps, we can detox from chlorine and keep pool days fun and flare-free.
I’ve been an avid swimmer my entire life. (Take a look at young Sheila circa 1978!). To this day, my normal routine includes swimming twice a week with my friend Anna. It’s an incredible full-body, low-impact workout that’s good for both cardiovascular and muscular health and it feels SO good!
Swimming is one of the most beneficial summer activities for the entire family! Some of my best memories growing up were at the neighborhood pool, where we spent hours playing heated Marco Polo.
Why We Should Detox from Chlorine
However, if you or your kids have asthma or eczema, hours of chlorine exposure can be taxing on the system, and cause flare-ups.
The immune system of kids and adults with asthma and eczema is what we call hyperreactive. Exposure to certain triggers (such as chlorine) causes their system to have an exaggerated response, creating a flare.
Asthma and Chlorine
Research shows that regularly swimming in pools can cause airway hyperresponsiveness through exposure to pool irritants, such as chloramines.
Eczema and Chlorine
Swimming pools contain multiple chemicals, including chlorine, for antiseptic activity. While this is necessary to keep pools clean with lots of kids swimming around (or peeing in the pool!), these chemicals can cause contact dermatitis (rough, red, dry skin).
So does this mean kids with asthma and eczema should not swim?
No, definitely not!! Cooling off in the pool on a hot summer day is something every should be able to enjoy!
If you live in a particularly hot climate, be sure to check out my other blog, “How to Stay Ahead of Eczema Flare-ups in the Summer Heat” for some more helpful tips to beat the heat this summer.
Simple Tips to Detox from Chlorine
Vitamin C and taurine are two supplements that can be used in conjunction to help neutralize the effects of chlorine.
You can use the HKHM Vitamin C powder and mix a ¼ scoop into a glass of water to drink. Alternatively, you can mix the powder into a spray bottle and apply it topically to the skin right after swimming.
One of the safe and beneficial sunscreens we recommend contains rosehips which are high in vitamin C, so simply applying the sunscreen will help protect the skin from the sun and from the chemical irritation from pool water.
Additionally, take 1 capsule of taurine the morning you plan to swim. It remains in your system for about 48 hours and helps bind and detoxify chlorine.
A fun day at the pool is a hallmark of childhood! Plus, it’s a fabulous way to stay active throughout your entire life.
With a few simple precautionary steps, you can be sure you and your family enjoy the many pool days summer has to offer while minimizing any negative health effects.
This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.
References:
- Bernard A, Carbonnelle S, Dumont X, Nickmilder M. Infant swimming practice, pulmonary epithelium integrity, and the risk of allergic and respiratory diseases later in childhood. Pediatrics. 2007 Jun;119(6):1095-103. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-3333. PMID: 17545376.
- Mountjoy M, Fitch K, Boulet LP, Bougault V, van Mechelen W, Verhagen E. Prevalence and characteristics of asthma in the aquatic disciplines. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Sep;136(3):588-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.01.041. Epub 2015 Mar 24. PMID: 25819982.
- O’Connor C, McCarthy S, Murphy M. Pooling the evidence: A review of swimming and atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2023 May-Jun;40(3):407-412. doi: 10.1111/pde.15325. Epub 2023 Apr 7. PMID: 37029288; PMCID: PMC10946598.
- Seki T, Morimatsu S, Nagahori H, Morohashi M. Free residual chlorine in bathing water reduces the water-holding capacity of the stratum corneum in atopic skin. J Dermatol. 2003 Mar;30(3):196-202. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2003.tb00371.x. PMID: 12692355.
- Swimming and Eczema, The National Eczema Society, https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/triggers-for-eczema/swimming-and-eczema/
