Swimming in and of itself cannot cause white spots. That being said, there are elements in the water -- whether pool, fresh or salt -- that may contribute to the development of white spots. These elements could range from the chlorine in the water (or lack thereof) to the presence of fungi. Chlorine is a noted irritant for some people. It can excessively dry out the skin and leave it looking cracked or splotchy. Not enough chlorine, however, can set the stage for an outbreak of tinea veriscolor fungi or pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium. The best way to be sure what is causing the white spots is to make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Chlorine
Chlorine is generally thought to be the cause of many common skin ailments with regards to swimming. The most common of these ailments is dry skin. This manifests itself as dry, white patches of skin. For some individuals, these patches might have a cracked, dry appearance. These patches of dry skin, however, are not uniform, nor are they abundant. To verify if chlorinated pools are indeed the culprit, it's best to refrain from swimming in them until the dry skin subsides.
Swimming Pool Rash
At the onset of swimming pool rash the body is covered in reddish bumps that begin to turn white. The rash has been confused with an outbreak of chicken pox, but the cause of the rash is the pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) bacteria. This bacterium thrives in low-chlorine pools and fresh water swimming areas. It is not a life-threatening pathogen and the rash itself will dissipate after ten days. But it can lead to ear, nose and throat infections, as well as urinary tract infections, and should be examined by a medical professional.
Tinea Veriscolor
If, after swimming, uniform white spots appear over any portion of the body, it could be that the water of the pool or swimming hole was contaminated with the tinea versicolor fungus. This common fungus thrives in hot, humid climates and is not life-threatening. It is less invasive than PA bacterium, but it is a fungal infection. Without proper treatment, it will continue to spread.
Treatments
The best way to assuage dry skin caused by over-chlorinated pools is to avoid them. If they cannot be avoided, then a topical moisturizing lotion can help keep the skin from cracking or discoloring. Avoiding swimming pool rash, by contrast, requires swimming in properly chlorinated pools and hot tubs. After swimming, it's advisable to take a warm shower and use an anti-bacterial soap. Writing for SouthCoastToday.com, Dr. Paul Donohue recommends using a selenium sulfide shampoo to fight the tinea versicolor fungus.
