Medical expert of the article
New publications
Allergy to chlorine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Hypochlorite of sodium or in common people of chlorine is the most widespread and toxic element of human environment. The allergy to chlorine is of a massive nature. With chlorine, we come across everywhere: we wash ourselves at home in the shower, visit the pool, drink tea from unfiltered water, move around in rooms that are treated with different concentrations of matter. Our body has to absorb, inhale, and absorb sodium hypochlorite.
Most people are not resistant to chlorine. They manifest different reactions when interacting with it, which can lead to irreparable changes in the body.
Symptoms of allergy to bleach
The most common symptom of an allergic reaction to chlorine is considered to be eye irritation. It does not matter if you collide with a liquid substance or powder, your eyes start to water or, on the contrary, you feel an incredible dryness with itching. Allergy to chlorine is manifested by reddening of the eyes, sometimes by the loss of eyelashes.
Allergy to chlorine: symptoms from the skin:
- dryness, a sense of tightness, an eternal desire to scratch;
- redness, scaling of the skin;
- occurrence of a specimen.
The areas of the inguinal zone and the axillary region react first.
The most severe form of allergy to chlorine is a disturbance of respiratory function. It is only necessary to inhale vapors, air masses containing chlorine, immediately begin coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, a feeling of chest tightness.
It should be noted that the allergy to chlorine can be of two kinds of action - slow and fast. How does allergy to chlorine show up? The launched forms of allergies can develop into serious diseases and cause: Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis, idiosyncrasy, when the reaction to the allergen occurs immediately on first contact. Frequent exposure of chlorine to the body of people with increased sensitivity to it can give an unpleasant disease - bronchial asthma. In addition to the difficulties with breathing, squeezing and discomfort in the chest, there are cases of loss of consciousness by people suffering from this disease. After the defeat of the respiratory system follows only the last stage of the development of symptoms of allergy to chlorine - anaphylactic shock. Therefore, when the first manifestations of allergic reactions need to consult a specialist.
Allergy to chlorine in the pool
Each of us wants to be healthy, full of strength and energy. The fashionable trend of modern society is visiting sports centers, swimming pools, saunas, etc. The desire to keep fit is wonderful. Only in public places where the most active use of disinfectants, it is easy to meet bleach.
How does the chlorine allergy appear in the pool? Allergy to chlorine when visiting a swimming pool can find itself right on the spot or after a lapse of time. There are skin rashes, burning sensations, itching, scaling of the skin. On the part of the respiratory system there is a runny nose, sneezing, attacks of suffocation.
Disinfection of water with chlorine remains, unfortunately, a common technology. Chlorine dries the skin, has a harmful effect on the hair, which becomes brittle, lose its shine. It is for this reason that it is advisable to put on a rubber cap when visiting the pool. Chlorine is severely affected by eyes.
What to do if you have an allergy to chlorine in the pool? You can easily test yourself by bathing in the river, the sea. In case of no symptoms, your diagnosis will be confirmed. Can you forget about visiting the pool? Not necessary. Scientific and technological progress does not stand still and with it appeared ozonization, ultrasonic technology of water purification. Before you start to visit the swimming pool, specify how to disinfect the water.
[4]
Allergy to chlorine in a child
A modern phenomenon among modern parents is swimming with babies. Toddlers are taken to the pool from three weeks of age. While doing healthy work, do not forget that children are the most sensitive group to allergens. Allergy to chlorine can cause a lot of trouble for children and their parents. With a firm decision to engage in swimming from birth, it is necessary to give preference to specially designated institutions for this purpose. For babies, the water is not chlorinated.
Allergy to chlorine in an older child can be sudden and quite dangerous. There were cases when a child in the pool started to choke or fell with cramps. In such difficult situations helps to prick a desensitizing drug and an immediate emergency call.
Blurred form of allergy in children develops a long period until atopic dermatitis becomes noticeable. In chronic allergies, it is important not only to exclude the presence of an allergen, but also to apply a comprehensive treatment based on the effects of antiseptics and antihistamines.
[5]
Treatment of allergies to bleach
Than to treat an allergy on bleach? If the allergy is caused by household chemicals that contain chlorine, it should be abandoned. Modern means of care of the house are represented by a wide range of ecologically safe, organic substances without perfumes, chlorine, softeners, surfactants. Many of them are odorless and suitable for allergy sufferers. An excellent alternative to bleach bleach are detergents based on soap nuts, animal bile, which are not only harmless, but also coping with the most persistent impurities.
First aid for allergies to household products with chlorine:
- wash away the substance from the skin under a stream of running water;
- dry, apply a moisturizing cream on the skin area;
- well ventilate the room from bleach vapors.
The medication is prescribed by an allergist doctor on the basis of the blood test and the type of allergen. Such testing has almost no contraindications, reveals the level of protein-immunoglobulin class E (IgE), which is produced in response to allergens.
Alternative medicine gives the answer to a question - than to treat an allergy on chlorine? Baths, compresses from the sequence help to alleviate skin conditions in children. Allergic dermatitis can be treated with an ointment made by successive melting of a part of each of the components:
- beeswax;
- fats (lamb, pig, goose, chicken, duck);
- oils (cream, vaseline, sunflower).
½ of the finished, warm mixture is mixed with a part of the tar, part of the crushed laundry soap and colloidal sulfur. A well-mixed ointment is stored in a glass container in the refrigerator. Apply for skin rashes up to two weeks, excluding the period of exacerbation.
Allergic manifestations from the eyes are treated with juice from the inflorescence of clover meadow. Rescue from itching can be found in the infusion of pansies (tri-colored violet). A liter of such tincture is used on the bath. A similar effect is observed when using infusions from the marsh Led swamp.
For ingestion there is such a recipe: 250-300 grams of garlic turn into gruel by all available methods (garlic, shredder, etc.), pour half a liter of vodka, insist about 4 weeks in a warm place, without access to light. Dilute a teaspoon of tincture in half a glass of water and eat with food 2-3 times a day for up to 20 days.
Allergy to chlorine recedes when contact with the allergen is excluded. Therefore, compliance with safety rules will avoid unpleasant consequences:
- use only organic detergents and cleaners that do not contain chlorine;
- Do not use bleach when cleaning the apartment;
- before visiting the pool, ask what the treatment of water in it is;
- if the tap water is rich in chlorine, use special filters;
- do not use water from the tap.