Hi guys, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Megan and I'm a very competitive swimmer. My events are the 200 meter IM and the 100meter butterfly. Swimming is my life. I dedicate all of my time to swimming and I'm really excited to meet people who are just as crazy about swim as I am!:bliss:
On a side note, I'd like to share my story. I am allergic to the pool. It's an obstacle that I have to overcome everyday. After swimming, the areas surrounding my nose and lips become very dry, flaky, and ocassionally bleed if not treated. I also get huge, red hive-like bumps everywhere on my face. They look like a persistent case of bad acne. The reaction only exists on my face. I went through a chemical patch testing period where I had to wear 100 chemical patches on my back for a whole week. During that time I was not allowed to swim or shower. It was disgusting to say the least!
They determined that I have some rare skin condition, but they haven't quite figured it out yet. They said the pool aggrivates my skin a lot. I tested positive to general fragrances, nickel, and 2 very common cleaning surfactants. I now have to read every shampoo label, makeup, lotion, soap, hand soap, dish detergent, shower gel, lip products, hair products, toothpaste, etc.
So, what I would like to hear from all of you:
- What products do you use to keep your skin healthy from swimming?
- Can anyone suggest worthwhile products?
- Does anyone suffer from symptoms similar to mind?
I look forward to meeting all of you.
Thanks for reading!
~Megan
I have the same thing with the dry skin and the hives only on my face - although it doesn't sound like mine is as bad as yours. Three different dermatologists and an allergist were unable to find a cause, let alone a solution. The only thing that worked was a topical steroid cream, but that's not really a long-term solution.
I'm allergic to some other run-of-the-mill things, pollen, dust, etc., and I've informed the doctors that I swim a lot, to no avail. Also, being extremely manly, lazy and/or stubborn, I don't use any products to keep my skin healthy. (I have tried the Cetaphil, though - it works for dryness but not the hives.) I've considered that the pools have something to do with it, but whatever it is, it's not an immediate-type reaction so it's really hard to nail it down.
Maybe after Nationals I'll take three or four weeks out of the pool and see if things clear up. If you find something that works in the meantime, I'd love to hear about it.
I have the same thing with the dry skin and the hives only on my face - although it doesn't sound like mine is as bad as yours. Three different dermatologists and an allergist were unable to find a cause, let alone a solution. The only thing that worked was a topical steroid cream, but that's not really a long-term solution.
I'm allergic to some other run-of-the-mill things, pollen, dust, etc., and I've informed the doctors that I swim a lot, to no avail. Also, being extremely manly, lazy and/or stubborn, I don't use any products to keep my skin healthy. (I have tried the Cetaphil, though - it works for dryness but not the hives.) I've considered that the pools have something to do with it, but whatever it is, it's not an immediate-type reaction so it's really hard to nail it down.
Maybe after Nationals I'll take three or four weeks out of the pool and see if things clear up. If you find something that works in the meantime, I'd love to hear about it.
