Dry Skin at Higher FC Levels?

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I was out floating around yesterday for three hours or so. Water was clear and warm. When I got out of the pool, my skin was very dry. My young daughter complained of itchy skin. Neither of us has particularly sensitive skin.

I had my solar cover on for a few days, so I allowed my FC to creep up a bit high for my CYA level. I've never given higher FC levels a second thought as I like the extra insurance against algae. Nothing else in my chemistry stands out as a contributing factor. Could the higher ratios of FC to CYA cause dry skin?

FC 9.5
CC 0
pH 7.5
TA 90
CH 300
CYA 70
Salt 3200
Temp 87
CSI -0.23

 

[Newdude]

I've had 3 friends over the years with diagnosed skin conditions prefer to swim at my house, and Lord knows I was running the FC hot.

So i'd be inclined to say it wouldnt matter, but everyones's milage may vary and whatnot.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I found this quote from @JoyfulNoise in THIS thread:

Dry skin is really a function of water hardness and how long you stay in the water. Any amount of soaking in water, no matter the exact chemistry, will cause the natural oils in your skin to be washed away. Once you exit the pool and towel off, your skin has lost a lot of the essential oils in it that protect it from dehydration...

So maybe less time in the water and more time trimming trees is the answer?

Here's a quote from another POST that got me thinking higher FC ratios might be a contributing factor:

I would also add this - your FC could be a bit high if your skin is sensitive to chlorine...

 

[Newdude]

I have 100 CH so that could totally be the difference. The Mrs and both daughters have very fair and moderately sensitive skin and go for hours with no issues. I'm half leather from a lifetime of working outside, so I can't opine.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Stop using my own words against me!!

Yeah, skin sensitivity/dryness issues are really way more complex that what we test for. I really do believe the biggest issue is just the washing away of the natural oils in our skin and that contributes the most to it. For some people, the process will simply result in dry skin feeling and maybe a little itchiness associated with that. For others, it could set off an entire chain reaction of inflammation and allergic dermatitis. That’s the part that is so variable. Our skin, in moderation, is meant to be sweaty and oily … that’s nature’s design. The waxy/oil layer on our skin does a lot to protect us from the environment. So when that’s washed away, anything is possible.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Perhaps after you get out of the pool from a long swim, the best solution is to towel off and then use a skin moisturizer like CeraVe. Our dermatologist loves to recommend CeraVe every chance she gets.

 

[wireform]

Perhaps after you get out of the pool from a long swim, the best solution is to towel off and then use a skin moisturizer like CeraVe. Our dermatologist loves to recommend CeraVe every chance she gets.

Matt, You took that one out of my mouth. I get dry skin in the winter as many do and a bit of moisturizer goes miles to help.

 

[duraleigh]

I had my solar cover on for a few days,

That might be a contributor. Pools need to "breath" so the CC's get burned off by the sun. If the UNcovering and swimming took place close to one another, that's what I would suspect.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Thank you for the responses. I can easily manage the dryness. My observations peaked my curiosity and I wondered if there was any evidence that higher levels of unbuffered chlorine might be more harsh on our skin than lower levels.