Avoidance, Considerations & Suggestions

Problems with pool rashes and irritations fall into several categories.  Some are bacterial infections caused by inadequate pool water sanitizing, water trapped in the ear or remaining in a damp bathing suit for prolonged periods of time.  Some chlorine byproducts such as chloramines are irritating and can lead to problems.  Some individuals are highly sensitive to certain chemicals or materials and can experience problems, even though the pool is being properly maintained.  When the water chemistry and/or sanitizer level is grossly out of balance, a chemical dermatitis can be the result.  All instances of a rash or irritation should be evaluated by a medical doctor.  Individuals, sensitive to even normal levels of common sanitizers, may be helped by a switch to an alternative sanitizing method.  Clicking on the underlined and highlighted "keywords" or "catch phrases," in the archived answers will give you access to additional information on that topic or product.  Please refer to the Glossary, if there are terms or phrases that require explanation.   For an alphabetized listing of the entire contents of the website, use the Table of Contents link, on top of every page.

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► Red Eyes?

We have a small, 12 foot round pool.   My two children have gotten "red eyes" a few times.  What causes this?  Thank you.

Rita S., Bayside, NY, 7/23/2009

Red eyes or stinging eyes can be an irritation problem, that results from high levels of chloramines:  an irritating, odorous and ineffective form of combined chlorine.  Make sure that you use a Free Chlorine Test Kit and that you keep the Free Chlorine level at 1-3 PPM, as much of the time as possible.  Try and keep the Total Chlorine level, no more than 1-2 PPM, above the Free Chlorine.  This will keep the amount of chloramines to a minimum.  Small above ground pools can be quickly depleted of all of the chlorine.  Inadequate sanitation can lead to infections and kids can spend a lot of time in and under the water.  Because the volume of water is relatively small, in your pool, the sanitizer can be depleted very quickly.  If there are small children involved, I suggest that your test the Free Chlorine before the pool is used, at the first signs of loss of water quality and periodically throughout the day, depending upon the pool usage.  The use of a non-chlorine shock, on an as-needed basis, can help to reduce the chloramines present in the water.   All medical conditions should be evaluated by a medical doctor.   I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 7/23/2009

► Salt Water Pools & No Red Eyes?

Is there a way you can explain in layman's terms to me why with a salt system pool there is no red eye. I have been told that it due to no chloramines, which man made chlorine contains. But, when I research it seems as though chloramines are caused by nitrogen, which I don't see on the labels of man made chlorine.  Can you help explain?  Thanks.

Al, 12/15/2004

You're close, but all of the ducks are not in a row.  Chloramines are irritating forms of combined chlorine, that are formed by the reaction of chlorine with nitrogenous wastes.  All chlorine is man-made and all chlorine can form chloramines.  Chloramine is not something that will appear on any labels.  What makes a salt chlorinating systems different, is that 100% of the chloramines are destroyed, as the water passes through the energized cell.  This is not true of any other means of adding chlorine.  Inasmuch as chloramines are the principal cause of "red eyes" this claim is justifiable.   Salt chlorine generators help produce quality water with a minimal chemical presence.  That typical pool chlorine odor is actually chloramines and will be virtually eliminated with a properly maintained salt chlorinated pool.  For more information on this product click here:  Product Spotlight Page. I hope that this information will prove helpful.  Enjoy the holidays.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 12/15/2004

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Bloodshot Eyes?

Can you please tell me what we are doing wrong in two areas?  For one my ladder keeps floating up it has never really seemed to be installed right and now two years later can't find the instructions.  It doesn't seem heavy enough to stay down in the water.  The other problem is with chemicals.  I didn't have this problem last year and don't know why.  I do this year but I'm not showing "any" chlorine in the pool according to my own tests and the ones I take to the pool place. So I add more shock and my kids come out with blood shot eyes and say its too much.  HELP, PLEASE!

Nichole D., 5/10/2007

So far as the ladder is concerned, there is nothing that I can offer.  Contact the manufacturer or discuss the problem with a local dealer.  The red eye conditions that you are describing are consistent with high levels of chloramines.  Chloramines will not show up on a Free Chlorine test.  You should test for Free and Total Chlorine:  the difference between these readings can be attributed to chloramines.  If the Total Chlorine reading is more than 1 PPM above the Free Chlorine reading, it could be indicative of a problem.  A major cause of chloramine formation is urine in the pool.  The method for destroying chlorines is shock treatment.  However, after shock treatment the pool should not be used until the chlorine level drop back into the optimum range of 1-3 PPM of Free Chlorine.  Ultimately, bather comfort is dependent upon the maintaining of proper [pool water chemistry and sanitizer levels.  I hope that I have been of assistance.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 5/11/2007

► Rashes:  An International Story?

Dear Alan, we are having a problem with a skin irritation from our pool water and hope that you may have heard of this problem before.  The skin rash is usually located on the legs of the swimmers, looks like small red dots and in some cases the skin sparkles like glitter and feels like tiny prickles.  The rash is only noticed once the swimmer has dried themselves and usually lasts about 24 hours, but is very tender to touch.  Is this a typical chloramine rash?  Most of the people affected by rashes are children and teenagers and the problem is not just with our family members.  Although I have had it myself once, my husband has not.  Last summer we were careful about balancing our water and find it hard to accept that it could have been chloramines or an imbalance of chemicals.  So we decided to have a water test at a laboratory.  It was confirmed that fine fibres were found, consistent with fibreglass fragments, about 0.1mm or so long.  From this conclusion, we decided to re-fibreglass our pool this summer, (as well as solving other problems - the bottom of our pool was progressively becoming lumpier and we had a black spot problem).  We have since discovered the original job was sprayed too thin and an isothelic resin may have been used, where a vinyl resin would have been more suitable in a heated pool. 

However, after re-fibreglassing, filling the pool with fresh tap water, balancing and heating the water, the children had their first swim and came out with yet another rash.  The pool builder balanced the water for us and did not seem to add anything out of the ordinary - salt, bicarbonate of soda, hydrochloric acid, and a small amount of liquid chlorine.  He did not that the water in the filter and pipes was very green and flushed this out, however, he said he was unable to flush out the old water in the pipes returning to the pool.  Could this have been so contaminated?

For background information we have:

• a new fibreglass pool interior using a vinyl ester resin )perhaps some fibres were left in the pool?  However the DE filter is meant to filter out up to 3-5 microns).

• salt chlorinator (Could there be a problem with the electrolytic saline chlorination system?).

• DE Filter (Filter not too small, it can handle up to 120,000L - we have only 77,000L and it is running for 10 hours a day in summer).

• gas heat pump (We heat the pool to a delicious 28 - 30 C.  Could increasing the temperature affect chemical reactions on the skin?).

• solar pool blanket (Is stored outside and may be contaminated from the sanding and re-fibreglassing chemicals or UV deterioration).

• concrete pavers surrounding the pool.

• lots of organic matter blown into the pool esp. from an oak tree.

• Most of the equipment is around 9 years old now, with the exception of the newly installed controller pH and Chlorine.

We will be sending more water to be analysed by a chemist but we are not sure what to ask him to test for.  We have tried to think outside the square with all the variables but as I am not a scientist I am struggling to come up with a solution.  We hope that you may have some ideas.  Regards.

Carolyn M., New Zealand. 3/13/2003

That was quite a letter!  The first thing that I would advise is for those people with a pool rash to seek a medical opinion.  Fiberglass fibers can certainly be part of the cause of the problem.  I am not familiar with the resin products and, therefore, I will be unable to offer any definitive information concerning their use.  It is extremely unlikely, bordering on the remote, that chloramines are the cause of this rash.  If chloramines were the cause, you would have mentioned that some or all of the bathers had "red eyes."  There was no such mention.  Secondly, the fact that you have a salt/chlorinator means that all of the water passing through the cell is free of chloramines:  that is if the equipment is working properly.  Rashes can be caused by bacteria, due to improperly sanitized water.  However, I doubt that this is the case.  Bacterial rashes would affect the folds of the bodies and the areas covered by bathing suits.  Again, nothing in your letter suggests that this is the case.  You had your water tested and professionally balanced, so there is no reason to suspect a water chemistry gone awry.  The heating to 30ºC is not part of the problem.  Where I live that is the normal summertime water temperature.  The debris from the oak tree might cause staining, but it will be destroyed by the chlorine.  The dust from the pavers will be neutralized by the overall water chemistry.   All this brings us back to those fibers!  The D.E. filter should help remove them over time. You might use an automatic pool vacuum in the morning before the pool has been used.  This will help speed up the removal.  What you are describing is not common.  At least not from my vantage point.  Nothing points to a cause other than the fibers.  If the new surface is not contributing additional fibers, you should see improvement over time.  You might want to seek out a source with more experience with fiberglass products.  I hope that I have been helpful.  Good luck and let me know how things turn out.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 3/13/2003

Dear Alan, thanks for your speedy reply.  By pure chance yesterday I was talking to a pool valet man who said he'd heard of a case years ago in South Africa where there was a problem with the pool ladder.  I hadn't even considered our pool ladder! It is stainless steel with white plastic-like rungs.  I very quickly used myself as a guinea pig and rubbed my skin against the rungs of the ladder and sure enough I got the rash!!  Our pool builder said he thought the rungs of the ladder were fibreglass rather than plastic.  It also make sense that as the children stand on the ladder, the skin on their legs possibly touch the rungs of the ladder.  Our next step is to contact the manufacturer of the ladder and confirm what the material is, get the water tested for that material, replace the rungs and get an expensive but hopefully happy ending.  I came across your website by looking up "Pool problems" under Google and couldn't believe there was someone independent I could discuss this with.  We live in Auckland, New Zealand and the swimming pool industry is a small market dominated by monopolies with not much choice for help, independent advise and alternative products. So I thank you again.  All the best.

Carolyn M., Auckland, New Zealand, 3/14/2003

You are making me a believer.  I would have thought that the rungs were stainless or a high impact plastic.  But, I guess fiberglass is a possibility.  It's a big world out there.  Based upon your self-sacrificing experiment, it does seem that you have narrowed the possibilities.  Let me know, how it all turns out.  I'll post this in the archives, so that, perhaps, others can benefit from your detective work.  Good luck with the solution.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 3/13/2003

Re: Our on-going problem with skin irritations in our pool.  The Australian manufacturers of the pool ladders have admitted that they had a problem with the "plastic" rungs and are replacing them at no charge.  I'm not sure if it is going to get me anywhere to find out if this product actually is plastic or not.  It has taken me 4 1/2 years of searching for an answer and $20,000  -  maybe someone else may be able to learn from this.  Regards.

Carolyn M., Auckland, New Zealand, 3/17/2003

► Swimmer's Ears?

What causes swimmer's ears?  The kids have had it and so has my husband.  Thanks for helping.  Best regards.

Helen, M., 7/9/2006

Swimmer's ear is caused by the pseudomonas aeruginosa: a pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria.  This condition should receive the attention of a medical doctor, for proper evaluation and treatment.  There are factors that can contribute to this problem.  Inadequate sanitation can play a role in bacterial growth.  Water that remains in the ear, for long periods of time, can add to the likelihood of the problem, especially, if the water was not sanitized properly.  The practice of shaking the water out of the ears and drying the ears, after swimming, is a good idea and is worth following.  I hope that I have been of assistance.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 7/9/2006

I was doing some research on heated pool rashes and came across your web site.  I need assistance with information on developing a severe rash using a heated pool for physical therapy. I had been using it for several months with no problem then all of a sudden started to get this rash.  It is very itchy and was on various places of my body. I found that I was not the only one that started to break in a rash as well. Others have seen Doctors and are using various ointments, etc.  But even with this they are still having problems. It is essential for me continue to do physical therapy in a pool environment.  I am disabled and can not do weight bearing exercises. The heater in the pool was broken and they owners got it fixed and ever since that time, is when the rash started.  I can provide more information, but want to see if you receive this information first. Thanks.

L. L. , 1/9/2010

► Itchy, Red Rash?

Dear Alan.  My wife Donna very much enjoys water aerobics in the swimming pools here in the RV park where we live during the winter months.  These pools are professionally maintained and appear to be in excellent condition.  However, after an hour of water aerobics she breaks out in a red, rather itchy and painful rash on her upper legs near her swim suit, and also on her upper arms around the arm pit area.  It is suspected that she has a low tolerance to the chlorine in the water, because the rest of the ladies in her aerobics group do not have similar problems.  Can you give us a idea of what might be causing her rash and/or what she might use on her skin to prevent this from recurring?  Thank you in advance for your advice!  Sincerely.

Bill M., 11/12/2003

Firstly, a pool rash is a medical problem and your wife should seek appropriate medical advice.  It is possible that your wife is sensitive to chlorine and/or some of the byproducts.  Because it is not your pool, you can't very well change the sanitizer system.  The fact, that she is the only one affected by the problem, does seem to point to sensitivity.  However, her sensitivity could be the result of over chlorination or marginally adequate sanitation.  The areas affected, by the rash, are places that will remain warm and damp, for well after swimming has ended.  The cause of the rash is probably bacterial in nature and could, possibly, be avoided or minimized by a quick shower and removal of the bathing suit.  Removing in a wet suit for hours can lead to problems.  I hope that I have been of assistance.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 11/12/2003

► Allergic Rash?

I had been teaching swimming lessons in this pool for about 1-1/2 yrs. when developing a rash suddenly.  After going through the deductions of food or soap changes and deciding those were not the causes, came to the conclusion that it was the pool.  When checking with the pool maintenance staff for water treatment applications, I found out that they used bromine instead of chlorine.  After an abstinence of 2 weeks, I went to swim in a different pool that was treated with chlorine with no side effects.  Is it normal to develop a sudden allergy to bromine like this?  Is there something that I can use to prevent getting this as I am still teaching there?  The rash only occurs on my arms, trunk and upper legs and is severely itchy.  I have been to a dermatologist which was a waste of time and money.  There is no testing that the medical field can do to determine if one is allergic to bromine and all he can do is treat it with an ointment which does not prevent the ugliness of the rash which resembles eczema or rosacea.  Any suggestions?  My husband told me to find a different to pool to teach in.  Help!  I love swimming to much to give it up.

Susan, Pittsburgh, PA 4/25/2003

You've been to the doctor and that was the right thing to do.  The following is strictly anecdotal and is not backed by any data that I have or have ever seen.  The chemistry of chlorine and bromine is very similar and, in most instances, it is the bromine that seems to be less irritating.  You are focusing the attention on the bromine part of the molecule.  The other part of the molecule is dimethyl hydantoin or something closely related.  When bromine is added to a pool, the hydantoin is an unavoidable byproduct and builds up over time.  It is entirely possible that you are sensitive to this component of the bromine product.   Perhaps, you could be tested for reactions to hydantoin compounds.  If you are truly allergic to bromine and or the hydantoin compounds, there is nothing that will remove these materials from the pool water, in the near term, that is short of replacing the water.  That seems to leave you needing to find another pool, at least temporarily.  Many commercial pools have switched, from a total reliance on chlorine or bromine, to ozone generators or ultraviolet sanitizers.  This helps reduce odors, destroys organic byproducts and reduces the levels of chemicals needed for proper sanitation.  Good luck with the resolution of the problem.  Please let me know how things turn out for you.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 4/25/2003

► Stinging Eyes?

We have a 10,000 gallon pool.  Last year the kids had a few episodes of irritating stinging eyes.  What can I do to avoid this problem again.  We will be opening the pool, in the next week or so.  We use trichlor tablets.  Thanks you for the help.

Gerry B., Virginia Beach, VA, 5/3/2007

High levels of chloramines is the most likely cause of stinging, irritated or red eyes.  Ideally, the combined chlorine level (which primarily consists of chloramines) should not be more than 0.3 PPM.  In practice, 1 PPM is probably more attainable.  Combined Chlorine is the difference between Total Chlorine and Free Chlorine.  Shock treatment is the method of reducing the combined chlorine.  You need 10 PPM of Free Chlorine to destroy 1 PPM of  Combined Chlorine.  The pH of the eye is 7.4.  pH values that are much lower or higher can lead to irritating conditions.  The trichlor tablets that you are using will lower the pH and can produce unacceptably low reading, if you do not make the proper adjustments.  As the pH drops below 7.2, chlorine becomes more aggressive and irritating.  In summation, the irritations are probably caused by high levels of combined chlorine and could be made worse by low pH conditions.  The solution:  pay more attention to the Free and Total Chlorine levels, as well as the pH.  If there is some money in the budget, add an ultra-violet sanitizer.  It will drastically lowered the amount of chlorine the pool will require and will destroy chloramines and infectious microorganisms, as the water passed through the unit.  You'll still need chlorine, but a lot less and the conditions will be much more comfortable.  I hope that things will work out better this season.  Enjoy the summer.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 5/3/2007

► A Rash From Cyanuric Acid?

Our pool was recently refinished and was restarted as new.  My wife develops a rash and welts every time she gets in the pool.  This didn't happen in the old (20 yrs) one.  Could she be allergic to the higher level of cyanuric acid?

Jack S., 9/8/2003

Not likely!  If the pool was just refinished, your cyanuric acid level is near the optimum range.  If you used a stabilized chlorine, in the pool before it was refinished, it is likely that the cyanuric acid level, at that time, was very much higher.  If a stabilized chlorine was not used, I suppose there is a possibility that she is sensitive to cyanuric acid.  But, cyanuric acid is present in most residential pools and has she ever had the problem elsewhere?  You should seek a medical opinion as to the likely cause of the rash.  I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 9/8/2003

► High pH Rash?

Do you have any detailed information connecting skin rashes with high water pH?

David G., 4/7/2003

I have no detailed information on this topic.  High pH can be irritating and this can contribute to chemical dermatitis.  If you are experiencing a rash problem, I suggest that you seek medical attention, for treatment and a proper diagnosis.  In addition, the high pH will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine and this can lead to conditions that foster the growth of infectious bacteria.  At a pH of 8.0, chlorine has lost 1/2 of its effectiveness.  At a pH of 9.0, effectiveness is nearly zero.  I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 4/7/2003

► Rash Under Bathing Suit?

My daughter, occasionally, has gotten a rash under her bathing suit.  What is causing this and how can I help avoid the problem?  Thank you for the help.

Jennifer. O., 8/22/2006

This rash problem may or may not have anything to do with the effectiveness of the pool water maintenance.  Obviously, bad sanitation practices will not help.  Kids can spend a lot of time in the water.   However, this is not a kids only problem.  Wet bathing suits and warm bodies can allow for bacterial growth to occur in the creases of the bathing suit and the folds of the body.  Some people are probably more sensitive than others.  Remaining in a wet bathing for a long period of time, without going back into the water, is the likely cause of many bather comfort problems.  If you're not going back into the water - don't hang around in a wet bathing suit, if possible.  A medical opinion should be sought for evaluation and treatment.  I hope that I was of assistance.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 8/22/2006

► Red Splotches?

Hi, I have just visited your website and thought to run this question by you.  Today I took my kids to the sitter's house where they have small pool in their backyard with chemicals in it.  But I am not sure what.  When I called to check on my kids she said that my daughter who is 7 had got out of the pool an hour earlier and was broke out in red splotches all up  and down her arms that were raised.  She said they looked like welts.  I have never heard of anything like this before.  What I am wondering is if you have heard of anyone having that sort of a reaction to pools like that or if I should search elsewhere for clues of what it could be.  Thanks very much.

Sara J., 5/3/2004

Yes, I have heard of this before.  It is a medical matter and you should seek medical services.  There are several possibilities.  Inadequate pool water sanitation leading to a bacterial rash.  Chemical dermatitis, due to improper chemical levels, and resulting in a chemical rash.  Or sensitivity to something used in the water.  Not knowing what the pool is being sanitized with makes it difficult to be more specific.  If she was the only one affected, that could indicate a sensitivity, on her part, to the conditions in that particular pool.  I am not qualified to determine which one is most likely, you'll need a doctor for that.  Good luck and I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 5/3/2004

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