Lately, my family and I have been swimming more. Occasionally, my skin will be red and itchy after spending time in the water. This is a chlorine rash.

A chlorine rash is a type of irritant dermatitis, which is a non-allergic skin inflammation that is reacting to an irritant (in this case, chlorine). A chlorine rash will usually be:

• Red
• Itchy
• Mildly inflamed
• Spread over larger areas of skin

So why is this? It’s because chlorine can be hard on your skin. Chlorine is a disinfectant that makes pool water safe to swim in. As a result, it strips your skin of sebum, a natural oil, which makes it dry and sensitive. If you have a skin condition such as eczema, chlorine will only make an already broken skin barrier worse.

Another way to tell if you have a chlorine rash is to pay attention to when it appears. Look for context clues such as:

• The rash appearing after getting out of the pool, whether it be a few minutes to a day later
• Only appears when you go swimming
• Doesn’t affect body parts that weren’t in the water

For the most part, chlorine rashes are mildly annoying rather than serious causes for concern. However, if your rash worsens or there are additional symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.

By Diane Alavie, BSc. Phm.