Showering is a must
Despite the many benefits of seawater, you should take a shower after swimming to rinse the salt out of your hair and off your skin. Once it dries on the skin, it draws a lot of moisture from it—especially from the scalp. This may cause itching in sensitive individuals. “In addition, salt crystals, just like water droplets on the skin, intensify the sun’s rays, which is why sunburn can occur more quickly,” adds Schmid.
Swimming in the pool—when the chlorinated water causes irritation
Anyone who swims laps at an indoor or outdoor pool—or is just splashing around with the kids—usually notices the smell of chlorine right away. It is added to the water because it is particularly effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi—in other words, it essentially disinfects the water. When chlorine reacts with unwanted byproducts such as urine or sweat, chloramines are formed. They cause that typical swimming pool smell.
For people with asthma, this can trigger an attack. This is especially true when water particles are inhaled during vigorous swimming. “An asthma inhaler can help people with asthma prevent symptoms or relieve them when they occur,” says Schmid. At the outdoor pool, the irritation is also much less severe thanks to the fresh air.
However, chlorinated water can irritate the conjunctiva as well as sensitive skin. “Anyone who suffers from eczema or very dry skin should rinse off the chlorinated water thoroughly in the shower immediately after swimming; warm water is perfectly sufficient,” says Schmid. “Afterward, it’s a good idea to apply a generous amount of moisturizing body lotion or cream.”
People who are completely intolerant of chlorinated water can opt for swimming pools that treat the water by treating it with ozone. Ozone consists of three oxygen atoms. It is not water-soluble; rather, it disinfects the water by reacting with contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, algae, or bodily fats. However, swimming pools with ozone purification systems are rare, as the technology is relatively expensive. It’s best to check the swimming pool’s website or ask them directly. Ozone systems for water treatment are also available for private pools and hot tubs.
Swimming in Lakes and Rivers in Switzerland
There’s nothing stopping you from taking a refreshing dip in a cold lake or river in Switzerland. According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the water quality in Swiss waterways is very good. If you want to play it safe, you can check the current status of many swimming areas on the FOEN website under “Bathing Water Quality.” People with respiratory problems or sensitive skin don’t need to worry about chlorine.
“As a rule of thumb, we recommend the following: If you can no longer see your feet in knee-deep water, you should not go swimming in that body of water.”
There is one caveat, however: Especially in smaller, stagnant bodies of water, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and cercariae—commonly known as duck fleas—can cause problems. Cercariae attempt to penetrate the skin, but they die there, causing itchy pustules—also known as swimmer’s dermatitis.
Blue-green algae can cause skin irritation, and some species are toxic. Swallowing large amounts of water can damage the liver. But blue-green algae are easy to spot because they turn the water blue-green. “Most people instinctively avoid swimming in murky water because it’s just not appealing,” says Schmid. “Nevertheless, as a rule of thumb, we recommend the following: If you can no longer see your feet in knee-deep water, you should not go swimming in that body of water.”
5 Tips for the Swimming Season
- Whether in the ocean, a pool, or a lake: You shouldn’t swim too much or for too long. Paradoxically, water actually dries out the skin. That’s because of the pH level. Water has a neutral pH of 7, while the skin tends to have a low, acidic pH of 5.5. “Due to the force of diffusion, the skin tends to balance out this pH level and, as a result, loses moisture,” explains Schmid.
- Since most of the sunscreen is washed off while swimming, you should dry off thoroughly after swimming or showering and reapply sunscreen. “Anyone swimming in the ocean or a lake should, if possible, use a mineral-based sunscreen without nanoparticles, because conventional sunscreens are very harmful to aquatic life. In the ocean, for example, they cause coral bleaching,” warns Schmid.
- Especially during summer vacation, when you’re in the water every day, you should make sure to keep your skin well-moisturized. A paraben-free moisturizer is a good choice, since parabens clog pores.
- Warm water is usually sufficient for a shower after swimming. If you use soap, you can choose a mild, pH-neutral soap that won’t dry out your skin any further.
- In seawater and chlorinated water, swimming goggles can protect the conjunctiva from unnecessary irritation, especially in children.
