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
Parents
Former Member
Cera Ve cream, which you need to put on within about 3 minutes after your shower. It absorbs quickly and lasts 24 hours (and you can get it at a pharmacy and it's reasonably priced)! If I get that agitated feeling which is a sign that the hives are coming, I take a zyrtec in addition. Last fall I went to 3 MDs with unrelenting hives, and the 3rd had me take 2-24 hour zyrtec pills and 2 allegra 24 hour pills daily, plus the Cera Ve. Felt a little out of it, but my skin FINALLY calmed down afer a couple of weeks.
Thinking...
When I was in college working in a restaurant, my hands could not tolerate handling tomatoes and the frequent hand-washing. The skin between my fingers would get weepy and bumpy. Gloves made the allergic eczema worse.
I used a thick ointment called "silicote" or something like that on my hands as a skin protectant. It was food-safe and had no color, scent or flavor. My hands did not sweat under it and did not feel "different". It was very effective shielding my skin from the tomatoes. It was generally regarded as safe in that era (1975-1978). Probably there are better products on the market now.
Published 1954:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../califmed00289-0022.pdf
I actually ordered some of this as a result of the post. Have been very reluctant to swim if I will be riding my bike within the next week. Chlorine, chapped skin, mixed with salty sweat and road grit is a miserable combination. (I don't know how triathletes manage)
I have tried cetaphil before, it works well as a moisturizer but is only effective on my face the first few times.
I am going to try the Cera Ve.. thanks for the suggestion!:)
Interesting to hear about the "silicote". I will have to ask my dermatologist.
@ nkfrench - let me know if the product works for you please!
Thanks for all the suggestions guys- it is nice to know that I'm not alone in my suffering!
Cera Ve cream, which you need to put on within about 3 minutes after your shower. It absorbs quickly and lasts 24 hours (and you can get it at a pharmacy and it's reasonably priced)! If I get that agitated feeling which is a sign that the hives are coming, I take a zyrtec in addition. Last fall I went to 3 MDs with unrelenting hives, and the 3rd had me take 2-24 hour zyrtec pills and 2 allegra 24 hour pills daily, plus the Cera Ve. Felt a little out of it, but my skin FINALLY calmed down afer a couple of weeks.
Thinking...
When I was in college working in a restaurant, my hands could not tolerate handling tomatoes and the frequent hand-washing. The skin between my fingers would get weepy and bumpy. Gloves made the allergic eczema worse.
I used a thick ointment called "silicote" or something like that on my hands as a skin protectant. It was food-safe and had no color, scent or flavor. My hands did not sweat under it and did not feel "different". It was very effective shielding my skin from the tomatoes. It was generally regarded as safe in that era (1975-1978). Probably there are better products on the market now.
Published 1954:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../califmed00289-0022.pdf
I actually ordered some of this as a result of the post. Have been very reluctant to swim if I will be riding my bike within the next week. Chlorine, chapped skin, mixed with salty sweat and road grit is a miserable combination. (I don't know how triathletes manage)
I have tried cetaphil before, it works well as a moisturizer but is only effective on my face the first few times.
I am going to try the Cera Ve.. thanks for the suggestion!:)
Interesting to hear about the "silicote". I will have to ask my dermatologist.
@ nkfrench - let me know if the product works for you please!
Thanks for all the suggestions guys- it is nice to know that I'm not alone in my suffering!
