Chlorine Allergy or Sensitive Skin? Tips for Comfortable Swimming Lessons

Chlorine Allergy or Sensitive Skin? Tips for Comfortable Swimming Lessons

Is your child sensitive to chlorine or do they have sensitive skin? Swimming lessons can then be a source of irritation. You are not alone! Many parents struggle with this problem. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make swimming lessons more enjoyable for your child, so that they too can learn to swim safely and with pleasure. In this article, we give you practical tips and advice to make swimming lessons comfortable, even with sensitive skin or a perceived chlorine allergy.

What exactly is a chlorine allergy?

Often there is talk of a 'chlorine allergy', but in reality, it is usually a hypersensitivity reaction to chlorine or to by-products that arise when chlorine binds to organic substances in the water, such as sweat, urine and cosmetics [7, 14, 18]. This reaction can manifest itself in various symptoms:

• Skin rash, itching or dry skin [7, 12]
• Red and irritated eyes [7, 12]
• Respiratory problems, such as coughing or a blocked nose [7]

People with sensitive skin, eczema or asthma are often more susceptible to these irritations [4, 7, 8]. It is important to realise that the symptoms are not always caused by the chlorine itself, but by the combination of chlorine and other substances in the swimming pool [7, 14, 18].

Tips for a comfortable swimming lesson

Here are some tips to make swimming lessons as comfortable as possible for your child with sensitive skin or hypersensitivity to chlorine:

1. Choose the right swimming lesson provider: Inquire with different swimming lesson providers about their water treatment methods. Some swimming pools use alternatives to chlorine, such as salt electrolysis, UV light or copper-silver ionisation [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]. These methods may be less irritating to the skin and airways [2, 3]. Compare swimming lesson providers in your city via ZwemlesWijzer to get an overview of the possibilities.
2. Protect the skin: Before swimming lessons, apply a greasy, moisturising cream or petroleum jelly to your child's skin [4, 9, 10, 11, 13]. This puts a protective layer on the skin and reduces exposure to chlorine [15].
3. Shower before and after swimming lessons: Have your child shower before swimming lessons to remove dirt and sweat [12, 18, 19]. After swimming lessons, it is important to rinse off the chlorine water as soon as possible with lukewarm water and a mild soap-free washing gel [4, 9, 10, 12, 31]. Gently pat the skin dry instead of rubbing it [4, 13].
4. Use special swimwear: Special swimwear is available that protects the skin from chlorine and UV radiation [8, 16]. This clothing is made of a special fabric that absorbs less water and dries faster.
5. Limit swimming time: Longer exposure to chlorinated water can irritate the skin more [11]. Try to limit swimming time to the necessary duration of the lesson.
6. Hydrate the skin after swimming: After showering, apply a moisturising cream or lotion to replenish the skin's moisture content [4, 9, 10, 15, 31]. Choose a fragrance-free cream to prevent irritation.
7. Pay attention to water quality: Good water quality is essential to prevent irritation [27]. A swimming pool with good water quality needs less chlorine to keep the water clean [12, 18, 19].
8. Consider alternative swimming lessons: Enquire about private swimming lessons or swimming lessons in smaller groups [27]. This allows for more individual attention and the swimming instructor can take into account the specific needs of your child.
9. Talk to the swimming instructor: Inform the swimming instructor about your child's sensitive skin or chlorine sensitivity. The swimming instructor can then take extra measures to make the swimming lesson as comfortable as possible.

Alternatives to chlorine in swimming pools

More and more swimming pools are switching to alternative disinfection methods [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 25]. Here are some examples:

• Salt electrolysis: This involves converting salt into chlorine by means of electrolysis [2, 3]. The chlorine content is lower than with traditional chlorine treatment and the water feels softer [2, 3].
• UV disinfection: UV light kills bacteria and viruses without adding chemicals [1, 6]. It is an environmentally friendly and effective way to disinfect the water.
• Copper-silver ionisation: Copper and silver ions have a disinfecting effect [1]. This method is effective against bacteria, algae and viruses.
• Ozone: Ozone is a powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria and viruses [1, 8]. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine.

It is worth investigating which swimming pools in your area use these alternative methods.

What if your child is afraid of water?

It is not uncommon for children to be afraid of water [39, 41]. This can hinder the learning process and make swimming lessons less enjoyable. Here are some tips to help your child overcome their fear of water:

• Start calmly: Do not force your child to go straight into the deep end. Allow him or her to get used to the water in a comfortable way.
• Make it fun: Use games and toys to make swimming lessons more fun.
• Set a good example: Show that you yourself enjoy being in the water.
• Be patient: Overcoming fear of water takes time. Give your child the time and space to learn at his or her own pace.
• Consider professional help: If the fear of water is severe, a professional therapist can help to overcome the anxiety.

The importance of swimming lessons

Despite the potential challenges, it is important to have your child take swimming lessons [23, 26, 34, 37]. The Netherlands is a country with a lot of water and swimming skills are essential for your child's safety [26, 37, 40]. By teaching your child to swim at a young age, you are giving them an important skill that they will benefit from for the rest of their lives [26, 34, 37]. The Dutch National Council for Swimming Safety (NRZ) indicates that a child is safe to swim with a C diploma [36, 37]. With this diploma, your child masters the skills to swim safely in a swimming pool with attractions and in open water without current [36, 37].

Moreover, swimming is a healthy and fun activity that contributes to your child's development [23, 28, 35, 41]. It improves fitness, strengthens muscles and promotes social interaction [23, 28, 35, 41].

Find the ideal swimming lesson for your child

Finding the right swimming lesson provider is crucial for a positive experience. Compare swimming lesson providers in your city based on location, price, teaching method and experiences of other parents. This way you will find the swimming lesson that best suits your child's needs. Read more about different teaching methods and view the knowledge base for parents for more information and tips.

Call to Action

Ready to find the perfect swimming lesson for your child? Use ZwemlesWijzer and easily compare swimming lesson providers in your area! This gives your child the best start for a lifetime of swimming pleasure, even with sensitive skin.