Healthy Nature

Swimming in summer is one of the most popular and fun summer activities for both kids and adults. There is nothing quite like bringing your snacks, drinks, and towels to the pool for a day of fun in the sun on a hot day. 

But when you get to the pool, whether at your home or elsewhere, are you also hit in the face by the smell of chlorine? We all are familiar with that smell. It is distinct and often associated with indoor hotel swimming pools or pools at your local gym.

While you may not think much about the smell, you should think twice about the water quality where you are about to submerge.  

It is true, chlorine, used in the water, helps kill off germs and bacteria to keep pools clean. But it is also true that chlorine is a harsh contaminant.  

If you think about it, chlorine must be powerful enough to kill and prevent bacteria growth in a body of water the many people swim in each day. 

Over-chlorinated pools pose dangers and health risks to your body  

While swimming in a chlorinated pool occasionally, might be ok, it is something you would not want to do regularly. If swimming is something you may be doing daily over the summer, a much safer choice is to go with a saltwater pool. 

The natural salts in the pool keep the pool water clean and safe. The salt kills dangerous germs and bacteria is a safe, healthier, and more effective way. 

Here are four health risks of over-chlorinated pools and why you should avoid them or limit their use whenever possible. 

Swimming in summer in chlorinated pools can increase asthma and allergy issues 

Regular use of chlorinates pools is particularly harmful to children. A study conducted in Belgium suggests that over-chlorinated pools can increase allergy and asthma. This study found this, especially in kids who swam in pools with too much chlorine. 

This issue is even more essential to consider if your child already has asthma or any allergy. 

It can cause digestive disorders  

Interestingly, swimming in a pool that contains too much chlorine can also cause a wide range of digestive ailments. Cryptosporidiosis is a sickness you can get from bacteria from a pool and one o the main and worst symptoms in diarrhea. It can get so bad that some people will even have to go to the hospital. 

Cryptosporidiosis is resistant to chlorine. It does not matter how much is put into the pool – the bacteria that causes these issues can still grow and infect people. You are much more likely to get Cryptosporidiosis if you are swimming in a public pool frequently. 

Swimming in summer on chlorinates pools can irritate the skin  

Since chlorine is a harsh chemical and you are submerging your whole body into the pool when swimming, there is a change you are going to have a skin reaction to the chlorine. Although this may not happen to everyone, it is still something to keep in mind. 

Chlorine can trigger eczema 

Furthermore, over time you can develop an intolerance to chlorine. Most skin rashes and irritation from chlorine pool water can be produced at any point in your life. 

It can cause hair and eye irritation 

Since chlorine can have a significant effect on the skin, of course, it can also affect your eyes and your hair. 

Chlorine is extremely drying. It can dry out and damage your hair quite severely if you are consistently swimming in a pool treated with chlorine. It is also commonly known that it can turn blonde hair a weird shade of green. 

As far as the eyes go, chlorine can irritate and hurt your eyes. First and foremost, it can cause a burning sensation in your eyes. But it can also turn your eyes red and bloodshot.  

There you have it. Use caution and stay healthy!