Although swimming can be a great form of entertainment and exercise, it can also pose serious health risks and damage to your skin. Red and flaky skin that develops after swimming can be concerning and hard to hide. It can occur due to several medical conditions and environmental factors, some that need to be treated by a doctor.
Contact Dermatitis
Red and flaky skin can occur after swimming as the result of contact dermatitis. This condition occurs when the skin reacts to an irritating substance or chemical in the pool or body of water, such as chlorine. These chemicals or substances can remove protective oil from the skin, leaving it susceptible to inflammation and irritation. Besides flakiness and redness, other symptoms can include tenderness, blisters, pain and the development of red bumps. Contact dermatitis can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, arms and legs.
Sunburn
If the swimming pool is outdoors, you may experience redness and itchiness due to a sunburn. Sunburn symptoms, which can also include blisters, skin warmth, chills, fever, extreme redness, nausea and a flaky rash, can develop just hours after sun exposure. A sunburn occurs when the protective pigment in the skin, called melanin, is damaged by exposure to UVA rays. This damage can occur in less than 15 minutes of exposure. Although symptoms are only temporary, sunburns can cause serious skin damage, such as skin cancer.
Hives
Itchy, flaky skin after swimming can be due to an allergic reaction called hives. This condition occurs when the body releases histamines into the bloodstream. Besides itching and flaking, additional symptoms can include swelling, welts, skin warmth, pain, difficulty breathing and trouble swallowing. This allergic reaction can be caused by several conditions including water, sunlight, hot or cold temperatures and the exercise involved with swimming.
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