A chlorine allergy is
understood to mean that a person experiences allergic symptoms after coming
into contact with chlorine. However, a chlorine allergy is very
rare. Chlorine is not a classic allergen (allergy trigger), but
an irritant gas . The physical complaints usually do
not arise because the immune system of an affected person
overreacts. Rather, the chlorine irritates the skin and mucous
membranes. What is popularly known as a chlorine allergy is in most cases
irritation of the skin and mucous membranes from the aggressive chemical
substance.
Chlorine is used in many swimming pools to
eliminate pathogens such as bacteria and fungi in the water. The
disinfectant has the advantage that it immediately binds to microorganisms,
stops their reproduction and effectively eliminates them, but it also has the
disadvantage that it can irritate the skin and mucous membranes.
The latter happens because chlorine in bath water
also comes into contact with sweat, urine, flakes of skin, ointment or cream
particles secreted by bathers, and chemical reactions occur as a result: The
irritant trichloramine is formed, among other things. Chloramines cause
the typical chlorine odor in swimming pools and irritate the skin and the
mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and eyes.
In addition , chlorine promotes dehydration
of the skin . Burning, reddened eyes, sneezing and itchy skin
can be the result. The skin reactions caused can be more
severe, especially in people who suffer from neurodermatitis . People with asthma can have severe breathing problems.
Some studies indicate that chlorine could also
promote the development of allergies. Chlorine gas can increase the risk
of asthma in people who have very sensitive airways and in children who spend a
lot of time in the swimming pool, according to a study by the University of
Brussels.
Even baby swimming can increase the
risk of bronchitis and asthma . However, this mainly applies
to children whose mothers already suffer from asthma or an allergy. The
parents concerned should therefore not go too early with their children (not
before the age of two, advises the Federal Environment Agency) to swim in a
chlorinated swimming pool. Because: "Chlorinated baths can possibly
attack the not yet fully developed lung tissue and lead to increased
respiratory infections," explains the professional association of
paediatricians. If you want to go baby swimming with your child, it is
best to consult your pediatrician on an individual basis.
Chlorine
allergy: what are the symptoms?
Contact with chlorine can cause the following
symptoms:
- Skin reactions: dry, itchy skin, redness,
rash, pustules, wheals
- Eyes: irritation of the conjunctiva, burning,
"red eyes"
- Respiratory tract: irritation of the upper and
lower respiratory tract, runny nose, sneezing, throat irritation, burning
sensation in the throat, shortness of breath
- Worsening of any existing lung disease
All of these symptoms could be signs of
a chlorine allergy or irritation of the skin and mucous
membranes from chlorine.
Chlorine
allergy: test
In order to determines whether the
patient suffer from a chlorine allergy or whether
the symptoms are caused by hypersensitivity to
chlorine, the attending physician first conducts a detailed
examination. For example, he asks what symptoms the patient has, whether
he often goes to the swimming pool, whether he already suffers from an allergy
or whether there are allergies in the family.
The doctors can also carry out allergy tests for diagnosis . With the
help of a prick test, for example, he can check whether the
patient is allergic to certain substances. Here the doctor applies some
possible allergy triggers to the patient's forearm and sticks them into the top
layer of skin with a fine needle. If an allergic reaction (wheals) occurs
after 15 to 20 minutes, this indicates an allergy.
Chlorine
allergy: treatment
What helps against a chlorine allergy? To
treat an allergy, the doctor can antiallergic, for meadow antihistamines , prescribe. These
drugs inhibit the effects of histamine - a messenger substance that causes allergic
reactions - and thus alleviate physical complaints. For example, ointments
or gels with this active ingredient can relieve the itching of a rash.
And as with any allergy, the most effective method
to prevent allergic symptoms is to avoid the allergy trigger ! In the case of chlorine,
this means going to swimming pools and avoiding chlorine-bleached clothing and
hygiene articles (e.g. toilet paper) as well as cleaning agents containing
chlorine. However, as already mentioned, a chlorine allergy is very
rare. Mostly it is an irritation of the skin and mucous membranes ( see section: " What is a chlorine allergy ? ")
You can also help ensure that chlorine does not
cause you any symptoms as much as possible:
·
Showers yourself in front of the swimming always well off as possible
with soap or shower gel. In this way, 70 to 90 percent of the substances
(skin cells, flakes, sweat, etc.) with which chlorine can react can be removed
from the body. The fewer such particles there are in the water, the less
irritating chloramine is formed in the swimming pool.
·
Always use swimming goggles in
the indoor pool .
·
Also, shower yourself after swimming .
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