Let’s look at swimmers’ skin

Have you ever suffered with weird rashes or itchiness after a swim? Rowan Clarke investigations skin afflictions that can affect outdoor swimmers.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Its layers have different anatomical structures and functions, protecting your body against pathogens, ultraviolet light and chemicals, and regulating your temperature. As you get into cold water, it’s your skin that triggers the cold water response, those physiological reactions that we know so well. And, after you get out, your skin reacts to whatever it’s been exposed to.

So, post-swim, what’s your skin telling you? And how do you deal with issues, from common complaints to unusual allergies?

Bugs and blooms

From the searing pain of a jellyfish sting to persistent itchiness, our skin takes the most punishment from things that live in the water.

Swimmer’s itch and sea bathers’ eruption are two charmingly-named examples. The former is caused by the larvae of a parasitic flatworm that causes a local allergic reaction. The latter comes from stinging nematocysts (stinging cells) of thimble jellyfish larvae.

“Every summer, we get these tiny lice-like creatures in the seaweed,” says sea-swimmer, Rose. “You find them in your swimsuit after a dip – some people just get stung, but I get a horrible rash and need to use calamine lotion to calm it.”

Skin reactions like Rose’s aren’t common and are rarely serious. If you’re skin’s sensitive, it’s worth avoiding swimming around pond plants or seaweed.

You should also avoid swimming in algal blooms. Blue-green algae is notorious for harming human and animals’ health. Made up of tiny organisms, which occur naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and the sea, some blue green algae release toxins into the water, which cause skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, and pains in muscles and joints.

Allergic reactions

Most post-swim skin rashes are allergic reactions. Chemicals in bites, stings or dermal contact trigger allergic reactions. But tracking down the chemical culprit can be tricky. One such allergen is neoprene products – wetsuits, gloves and booties. Likely to be caused by the accelerants used in the production process, neoprene allergies are thankfully rare. But it’s hard to identify which chemical causes problems or which have been used in the making of a wetsuit. The best advice is to try different products before buying, ask the manufacturer for a sample of the fabric to test first, or go for products made from Yulex or limestone neoprene.

Although not strictly an allergy, some people have varying degrees of sensitivity to the chemicals in swimming pools.

“I get a severe skin rash, which is so incredibly itchy and raised red bumps, almost like blisters,” says Vivienne Rickman, who had to give up teaching swimming in pools because of her chlorine allergy. “The rash is in joyful places such as under my arms and between my legs, also on my forearms, legs and across my stomach. I also have hay fever symptoms which include streaming, itchy, sore eyes, a running, itchy nose, sneezing and an itchy mouth.”

Cold water

Imagine being allergic to cold water itself. Cold urticaria causes red, splotchy skin and welts after you’ve been exposed to the cold that worsens as you warm up. It’s caused by your body releasing histamine in response to the cold water, which causes hives. Again, cold urticaria is rare. But if you do get hives after your dip, it’s worth seeing your doctor as allergies can become more severe.

So, is there a cure for these swimmingrelated allergies? Frustratingly, not. In fact, the universal advice is to avoid the allergen.

“After trying numerous barrier creams and different suggestions from fellow swimmers with nothing working, I now no longer teach swimming at indoor pools,” says Vivienne. “I do however swim at the pool because I can shower immediately the chlorine doesn’t dry on my skin so there is no rash, but I do suffer from severe hay fever like symptoms for the rest of the day afterwards.”

Washing chlorine off your skin before it dries is good advice for any pool swimmer. Wash naked wherever possible using a mild cleanser and then apply a good, pHbalancing moisturiser.

As for cold water, the good news is that it’s generally very good for our skin. “Aside from allergies, bites, and stings, swimming in cold sea or fresh water can offer surprising benefits to your skin when done safely,” says Teena Skakum-Dring, Clinical Manager at the Skin Care Network. “Cold sea water is known for its therapeutic properties. Rich in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iodine, seawater can help in reducing inflammation, improving circulation, exfoliation and natural hydration.”

Swimming in the sea can help with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as over all skin health. However, Teena urges us to look after our skin before and after swimming outdoors.

“Cold water, especially if it’s salty, can dry out the skin if exposed for long periods,” she says. “In contrast, freshwater swimming lacks the minerals found in seawater but is less likely to cause skin irritation. Still, prolonged exposure to cold fresh water can disrupt the skin’s natural oil balance, leading to dryness. For outdoor swimmers, whether in cold seas or lakes, proper skin care is essential to maintain skin health and avoid potential irritations or conditions.”