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
M -
While I do not have any similar conditions, and you already have been to an allergist, I really can not provide any good advice.
I DO want to compliment you on your persistence in staying with the sport inasmuch as you have a lot to deal with beyond what most swimmers do.
Good luck to you, and welcome to the Boards!
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?
These topics have come up before. Do a search and you should find lots of info.
These topics have come up before. Do a search and you should find lots of info.
:frustrated: Cetaphil lotion and cream! :frustrated: (I wonder how many threads I have made this recommendation on now...)
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.
My cousin is allergic to chlorine. As soon as she is hit with chlorinated water, she breaks out in itchy bumps. One time she said it was so bad that she had to take Predizone. She now steers clear of chlorinated water and instead prefers Saline pools where they do not use any harsh chemicals. Don't know if that is an option for you....
Maybe worth trying is the TRISwim line of products? I started having issues with painfully dry skin (felt like a sunburn) and I found that even just the occasional use of these products helped immensily. HTH!!!
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
Have you tried taking any antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra, or Benadryl. I prefer Benadryl out of the 3 though it has the most side effects (it will make you tired). Claritin only works 11% better than the placebo so I don't recommend it.
Have you taken any steroids either for your condition- such as prednisone?
Just a thought, can she put something on her face BEFORE swimming?
Vaseline or something else to block the effects?
I found something like this:
http://www.dermaswimpro.com/
when I was trying to cure my chronic dry skin thanks to the heavily chlorinated pools at my gym. Never did try this product though...
