Dorothy FarrarChlorine allergy
True cases of chlorine allergy are very rare. Most of the time it is a reaction of the body to contact with chlorine compounds. Not only people who are prone to allergic reactions or who have neurodermatitis are affected. However, they show more pronounced symptoms than people who do not have a genetic predisposition to allergies. The problem is that chlorine gas and chlorine compounds are used in many areas of daily life and people can hardly avoid them: they are added to drinking water in very small quantities and are used in the industrial production of plastics, medicines and food.
What is a chlorine allergy?
As the name suggests, a chlorine allergy is a reaction of the body to aggressive chlorine compounds. If it occurs, it is usually after a visit to the swimming pool: chlorine gas and chlorine compounds are used there to disinfect the water. People who work with chlorine compounds usually inhale it as a gas.
In most cases, however, it is not an immune reaction to chlorine compounds, but irritation of the mucous membranes, eyes and skin caused by the aggressive substances. Children who have asthma and infants under the age of three whose lungs are not yet fully formed are particularly at risk of developing a chlorine allergy or irritation from chlorine. The chlorine compounds then often cause inflammation of the bronchi, which can promote the later occurrence of severe respiratory diseases.
causes
Blame for the occurrence of a chlorine allergy is the contact of the affected person with chlorinated water or chlorine gas. Chlorine combines with the organic substances, urine and sweat, dissolved in swimming pool water and then forms chloramines.For people who are not allergic, too much chlorine in the swimming pool water or too long a swim in it can lead to the onset of symptoms. The water dries out the skin because it has a different pH (7) than human skin (5.5). The more often the swimmer is exposed to the disinfected water, the drier it becomes. The chloramines that are inevitably produced attack the skin, mucous membranes and eyes.
When to the doctor?
In the case of a chlorine allergy, there is no need to see a doctor if the symptoms are only temporary. Some people have easily irritated skin, which reacts accordingly to contact with chlorine. However, it is not necessary to consult a doctor in this case. The doctor cannot treat the chlorine allergy and no allergy tests are carried out that could actually determine the allergy.
However, a doctor can be consulted if the skin has been damaged relatively severely due to the chlorine allergy and treatment is required. This can happen, for example, after a long visit to the pool or after exposure to chemicals containing chlorine or its derivatives. In these cases, the skin can be cared for and regenerated with various care products. However, if there is no improvement, the irritation is too severe or other symptoms such as itching occur, a doctor can be consulted for the chlorine allergy. This also applies if the skin is red and painful for a long time. In order to avoid developing a chlorine allergy, visits to the swimming pool and contact with cleaning agents containing chlorine should be avoided.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of chlorine allergy:
If the person affected has had contact with chlorine water or inhaled chlorine gas, the symptoms are mostly harmless such as very dry skin, itchy skin, reddened skin, pustules and eczema. The skin lesions can even be filled with fluid. The skin feels unusually dry after swimming in chlorinated water: the sufferer feels as if it is tightening. Sometimes she starts peeling. In people who already suffer from skin allergies, the chlorine compounds make the allergic symptoms even worse.
In extreme cases, it can even lead to hypoallergic shock. Then the allergy sufferer needs immediate medical help and should be taken to the emergency room of the hospital as quickly as possible (danger to life!).
The typical skin reactions are often accompanied by sneezing, coughing, wheezing, breathing problems, red eyes, swollen, itchy, burning and painful eyes or an eye infection . If the sufferer cannot avoid the chlorine compounds, the chlorine allergy becomes chronic. He then often has great difficulty getting air. In addition, nausea , vomiting and brief dizziness are sometimes the result.
Diagnose
If the person concerned observes the symptoms typical of a chlorine allergy, he should definitely contact a doctor as soon as possible. He first rules out other skin diseases and can then treat the patient accordingly.
complications
The chlorine allergy causes various symptoms and complaints when the skin comes into contact with chlorine. In most cases, however, there are no particular complications, since contact with chlorine can usually be avoided. The sufferer suffers from the allergy from shortness of breath and a severe skin rash. However, shortness of breath often leads to panic attacks. Furthermore, wheals and pustules appear on the skin, which means that the quality of life is extremely limited for a short time. In severe cases, the eyes are also affected, which can lead to an eye infection. In addition, most patients also suffer from vomiting and dizziness. Normal everyday life is therefore no longer possible for the patient due to the chlorine allergy. The treatment can usually take place with the help of medication, whereby there are no further complications. The person concerned must also avoid contact with chlorine so that symptoms and consequential damage are avoided. Life expectancy is not restricted by the chlorine allergy.
treatment and therapy
If the doctor actually finds a chlorine allergy in the patient, he advises him to refrain from going to the swimming pool in the future. If the allergy sufferer still wants to go swimming, we recommend going to the outdoor pool.
If the allergic reactions are not so pronounced or if the signs are only irritations that soon disappear, it is usually sufficient to take a shower with water that is not too hot after swimming. The patient should avoid perfumed shower gels and use a mild pH-neutral shower gel. If he had already showered before coming into contact with the chlorine water, it is better to leave out the shower gel.People who, despite their chlorine allergy, do not want to do without their usual training in the municipal swimming pool can avoid excessive itching of the skin and similar unpleasant reactions by taking antihistamines the night before . Wearing swimming goggles can protect against itchy eyes and reddened eyelids.
Dry and reddened skin and wheals can be treated well with moisturizing creams that contain glycerine or urea. They restore lost moisture to the skin. Urea (urea) ensures that the skin cells reconnect with each other. Skin rashes that do not heal are treated with glucocorticoids: the ointment is applied to the affected areas of the skin and helps to relieve the skin inflammation. Moisturizing eye drops are helpful for eye irritation.
prevention
Sensitive people and people with an allergic predisposition and neurodermatitis should avoid contact with the irritating substance (if possible) to avoid developing a chlorine allergy or irritation from chlorine. Anyone who is afraid of getting itchy skin and reddened areas from the chlorinated water can prevent their skin from drying out before swimming with special skin-protecting creams. But be careful: agents that contain paraffin are not suitable for this. They clog the pores.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.