Swimming pool water can irritate the skin of some people with eczema, depending on the mix of chemicals used by an individual pool. Leaving chlorinated water on the skin can dry it out, which can make eczema flare-ups worse.

Dryness of the skin after swimming is likely if the pH balance of the water is raised above neutral, which can cause calcium build-up which dries skin out. Chlorine can cause dryness, but as it is a bleach it could also reduce bacteria on eczematous skin, so its effects aren’t always bad, it could even be helpful to some people with eczema.

Some people may experience irritant contact dermatitis as the skin can react with chlorine or other chemicals added to sanitise or change the chemical balance of the swimming pool water.

Chlorine rash will be red, hive-like rash that can be itchy, inflamed, tender to the touch, scaly or crusty and will appear a few hours after contact with chlorinated water. The longer you stay in the water, the more irritated your skin can become.