wierd rash - swimmer's itch?

My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).

So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
anything like this?

On Sun, 09 Feb 2003 03:01:57 GMT, "rd" <rumsey99@rogers.com> wrote:

>My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
>developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
>real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).
>
>So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
>anything like this?
>
>

Itching due to dry skin due to spending two hours in the pool and then being exposed to dry winter
indoor air is a fairly normal experience for me. But I've never had bumps like you've described
associated with swimming and/or chlorine. If they don't clear up soon and/or you get a fever, sore
throat, etc. that goes with them, I would see a physician ASAP.

"rd" <rumsey99@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Fwj1a.304471$pDv.258354@news04....ble.rogers.com...
> My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
> developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
> real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).
>
> So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
> anything like this?
>
>
>

I have them too, except on my legs.

Check and see if they use bromine in the pool. Many people get a bad rash from brominem, myself
included. If they don't use bromine, try putting vaseline (the real stuff or generic, not the
lotions) onto your skin before you thoroughly dry off. Pat yourself dry, the apply the stuff.

Marianne

"rd" <rumsey99@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Fwj1a.304471$pDv.258354@news04....ble.rogers.com...
> My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
> developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
> real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).
>
> So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
> anything like this?

I have this problem too. After years of swimming as an age grouper, high schooler and college
swimmer without problems, I returned to the pool 25 years later and developed a rash that includes
little red bumps. This from a pool that uses chlorine. It was diagnosed as folliculitis (sp?) by an
internal med Dr and It wasn't. It got severe (all over my arms, legs & stomach) because I didn't
believe it was the pool and kept swimming ( It developed a month after I started back). To make a
long story short, I finally went to a derm Dr. and she said it was dry skin. I took her advice about
using body wash (Dove) and lotion (Aveeno) and frequency of bathing. That partially helped. I spent
3 months out of the pool and tried once again. I'm swimming 3500 yds, 3 times a week now but I have
a system to do it so I don't get the bumps. I use Vaseline over my legs, arms, face and chest. I
also take my only showers of the week after I get out. It helps get the Chlorine compounds and
Vaseline off. It may sound strange but areas like my back and hair don't have problems. I've been
doing this for 4 months and if I go without the Vaseline the bumps, itching reoccur. My conclusion
is that it is that some Chlorine compound is just a very severe irritant and not allergen to me. I
now have really good skin (sometimes a little greasy feeling as compared to the unshowered chlorine
perfume that I was used to all my life).

Hope this helps and see a dermatologist. You may have to get used to having good skin and feeling a
bit greasy!

"rd" <rumsey99@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Fwj1a.304471$pDv.258354@news04....ble.rogers.com...
> My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
> developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
> real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).
>
> So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
> anything like this?

It's a secret that "real" master swimmers keep from the tri folks who have messed up most
masters clubs.

Hah!!

"rd" <rumsey99@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Fwj1a.304471$pDv.258354@news04....ble.rogers.com...
> My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
> developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
> real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).
>
> So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
> anything like this?

Have you checked out the symptoms of Ringworm? I suffer from all sorts of fungal infections from
teaching in various pools and you may find that this is a variant of athletes foot spread to other
parts of your body - and that a fungal cream (& the Vaseline to protect it against the water) might
do it. Best of luck! Carole "rd" <rumsey99@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Fwj1a.304471$pDv.258354@news04....ble.rogers.com...
> My buddie and I just started Masters swim classes as part of triathlon training and we both
> developed itchy little bumps (look like spider bites) around our ribs after time in pool. They get
> real itchy by next day and bleed when scratched (yikes).
>
> So - is this a common reaction for newbies to pool chlorine or chemicals. Anyone ever heard of
> anything like this?