Don't Let These Common Water Ailments Ruin Your Summer

There’s nothing quite like a swim in the pool, lake, pond or ocean to cool off on a hot summer day, but from time to time that refreshing dip can cause problems. Here are three common summer water-related ailments along with tips to prevent, recognize and treat them.

Swimmer’s Ear (otitis externa)
Chances are you’ve gotten water in your ear from time to time either from swimming or taking a shower. It may feel like a tickle in your ear, or your ear may feel like it’s blocked and sounds are muffled. If the water stays in the outer ear canal for too long, bacteria can start to grow causing an infection commonly known as swimmer’s ear. Anyone can get it, but it’s most often seen in children. It cannot be spread from person to person.

Swimmer’s ear can cause pain when you tug on your outer ear or press on the little part of the ear in front of the ear canal. The inside of the ear may feel itchy and may be red and swollen. You may also notice drainage from the ear. In most cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotic ear drops to treat the infection.

To prevent swimmer’s ear, keep your ears dry. A swimming cap or ear plugs will keep the water out of your ears when you’re swimming. Use a towel to thoroughly dry your ears after swimming or showering. If you feel water in your ears, tilt your head from side to side and gently tug on your ear lobes to help the water drain out. Consult your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter ear-drying drops. They should not be used if you have ear tubes, a punctured eardrum, swimmer’s ear or drainage from the ear.

Swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis)
A dip in contaminated fresh or salt water can leave swimmers with a red, itchy rash known as swimmer’s itch. It’s caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that are released into the water from infected snails. The parasites burrow into a swimmer’s skin while searching for a host, causing an allergic reaction and rash. The parasites die soon after because humans are not suitable hosts. Swimmer’s itch occurs throughout the world and is most common during the summer. It often affects children because they swim and play in shallow water. The good news is that swimmer’s itch is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person.

Swimmer’s itch can occur within minutes to days of swimming in contaminated water. Symptoms include tingling, burning or itching of the skin and small reddish pimples that can develop into small blisters. Swimmer’s itch does not usually require medical attention. Corticosteroid creams, anti-itch lotions, baking soda paste, cool compresses, and baths (Epsom salts, baking soda or colloidal oatmeal) can relieve the itch. Try not to scratch as this may cause the rash to become infected. If the itching is severe, a doctor may prescribe stronger lotions or creams to relieve the itch.

To reduce your risk of developing swimmer’s itch, do not swim in areas where swimmer’s itch is known to be a problem, do not swim near or wade in marshy areas where snails are found, and towel dry or shower immediately after swimming. The parasite that causes swimmer’s itch can infect some birds (ducks, geese, gulls, and swans) and mammals (beavers and raccoons), so do not feed birds in areas where people swim.

Chlorine rash
Swimming pools are treated with chlorine to kill bacteria in the water, making it safer to swim. But chlorine is a powerful disinfectant and it can irritate the skin. If you get a chlorine rash, you are not necessarily allergic to chlorine, you may just be sensitive to it. Frequent exposure to chlorine increases your chances of developing a rash.

A chlorine rash looks similar to swimmer’s itch, but if the pool you swim in is properly treated it should not have the parasite. Symptoms of chlorine rash include itchy, red skin, scaling or crusting, small bumps or hives, and swollen or tender skin. Chlorine may also irritate your eyes. It may also irritate your respiratory tract, causing you to cough or sneeze. Chlorine rash can be treated with over-the-counter products. Corticosteroid creams, like hydrocortisone, may help to relieve itching. A cream or medicine that contains diphenhydramine, like Benadryl, can help if you have hives. If the rash does not improve after using over the counter products, see an allergist who can prescribe stronger medicines. If you have a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical help.

If your skin is sensitive to chlorine, you can still swim if you take some precautions. It’s a good idea to shower before and after swimming. Showering before will help to remove any dirt or bacteria on the skin that may react with the chlorine. Showering after will remove the chlorine. There are body washes and lotions made specifically to remove chlorine and soothe the skin. You can also apply a thin layer of Aquaphor or Vaseline to the skin before swimming. This will create a barrier between your skin and the water, reducing your chances of skin irritation.

The good news is these conditions, while bothersome, are rarely serious and can often be prevented with the right precautions. If you do not see improvement after using over-the-counter treatments or you are experiencing symptoms that concern you do not hesitate to seek medical attention. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room.