A refreshing romp in the pool can be less than refreshing for your skin, especially if poor water quality or an allergic reaction leaves you with itchy skin. Several causes can lead to itchy skin, which can be accompanied by tightness, dryness, flaking and peeling or a rash with little, pus-filled blisters.
Chlorine
Itchy skin after swimming in a pool can come as a reaction to the chlorine, which can act as an irritant, an allergen or dry out your skin. Chlorine is corrosive. Its oxidizing properties make hydrogen split from the water molecules in your skin, which releases oxygen and hydrogen chloride that can be damaging. Repeatedly swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool can break down your skin's lipid barriers and dry it out.
Hot Tub Rash
A condition called hot tub rash, which you can get from a regular swimming pool, can lead to itchy, red skin with small, pus-filled blisters. The microscopic germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa is to blame. The germ, found in dirt and water, can infest hot tubs that are poorly maintained and spread to contaminate pools and lakes. Hot tub rash generally goes away on its own after several days. If it doesn't, your doctor can provide further treatment.
Remedies
An over-the-counter anti-itch cream can help quell the itching regardless of the cause. The most effective creams have at least 1 percent hydrocortisone. If your itching comes from an allergic reaction and is particularly severe, you can try a nonprescription allergy antihistamine. Skin moisturizers, especially heavy creams or oils applied right after the shower, can help to moisturize dry skin that is making you itch. Moisturizers create a protective barrier over your skin that stops water from escaping. If your skin starts to crack or get worse, your doctor can provide further treatments.
Water Quality
You don't have to give up swimming altogether, but you might want to use pool test strips to check chlorine levels in the pool to make sure they are not extraordinarily high -- or low enough for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to thrive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a chlorine level of one to three parts per million, a bromine level of two to five parts per million and a pH between 7.2 and 7.8.
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