- Jun 5, 2013
- 144
Alright, so this has been causing some grief in my household and I'd like some more understanding so that we can resolve this. My wife is a loving mother. She's quite good at her job of raising 5 kiddos. They're young, and like many moms today she pours ever whole existence into their well being. We've also been pool owners for 9 years now. I started on 3" pucks, but several years back, I found the beauty of using chemistry to properly test your water, and bleach to treat it. But now with the kiddos, (aged 9 mo twins to 5 years old is our oldest) we're in the pool more than ever. I love it. I grew up in my grandma's pool, and loved those days. I love watching my kids share that same joy.
Anyhow onto my point!
There's been a lot of worrying over the effects of chlorine on one's skin. I'm quite cavalier on the matter and figure there is such a small concentration of chlorine in the pool, that it's not worth considering. Being cavalier isn't a good thing, I'm not defending my position, I'm looking for understanding. My wife is often concerned about not showering after each and every pool venture. I think it's a bit overkill, and I am using a bit of science in my reasoning, as I was literally in the pool everyday growing up, and never showered afterward, and never had any dry skin (or any skin issues). See, science! Right? Furthermore I was raised in a puck pool, and I'm sure the chlorine then was higher than my pool is currently. She's not uber upset over it, but as the question of "Don't you think we should rinse off" never goes away, it's time for answers.
Any googling on the matter only seems to produce "Chlorine is a chemical, and chemicals are the devil. So if you swim in a chlorinated pool you're going to hades." Or something similar.
So question 1, is it unwise not to shower after swimming?
Question 2, is it unsafe to swim in a pool with a sick family member? Does pool water harm open wounds? (Two part question! Combo!)
Question 2 is the prompt of this thread. My 2 year old has a NASTY case of hand foot and mouth disease. If you're unfamiliar with it, google it, and be prepared for some uncomfortable pictures. And if they look extreme, then you're looking at what my son has. It looks REALLY painful. His swimming style is floating in the pool with a puddle jumper. He loves it. My theory is a good soak will help clean those wounds, and calm his pain too. Plus, he loves it. He's out and about, and not thinking about his blisters. I tossed him in the pool today and he had a blast. My wife is concerned that he can spread his disease through the water, and that the chlorine will prevent his wounds from healing.
If anybody has some sound explanation, or links to websites that tell the true facts of chlorine I'd appreciate it.
My pool info: I let chlorine go between 3-6 PPM. CYA level is 40, and PH is almost always 7.5. 7.6ish currently. All other levels are totally average.
Anyhow onto my point!
There's been a lot of worrying over the effects of chlorine on one's skin. I'm quite cavalier on the matter and figure there is such a small concentration of chlorine in the pool, that it's not worth considering. Being cavalier isn't a good thing, I'm not defending my position, I'm looking for understanding. My wife is often concerned about not showering after each and every pool venture. I think it's a bit overkill, and I am using a bit of science in my reasoning, as I was literally in the pool everyday growing up, and never showered afterward, and never had any dry skin (or any skin issues). See, science! Right? Furthermore I was raised in a puck pool, and I'm sure the chlorine then was higher than my pool is currently. She's not uber upset over it, but as the question of "Don't you think we should rinse off" never goes away, it's time for answers.
Any googling on the matter only seems to produce "Chlorine is a chemical, and chemicals are the devil. So if you swim in a chlorinated pool you're going to hades." Or something similar.
So question 1, is it unwise not to shower after swimming?
Question 2, is it unsafe to swim in a pool with a sick family member? Does pool water harm open wounds? (Two part question! Combo!)
Question 2 is the prompt of this thread. My 2 year old has a NASTY case of hand foot and mouth disease. If you're unfamiliar with it, google it, and be prepared for some uncomfortable pictures. And if they look extreme, then you're looking at what my son has. It looks REALLY painful. His swimming style is floating in the pool with a puddle jumper. He loves it. My theory is a good soak will help clean those wounds, and calm his pain too. Plus, he loves it. He's out and about, and not thinking about his blisters. I tossed him in the pool today and he had a blast. My wife is concerned that he can spread his disease through the water, and that the chlorine will prevent his wounds from healing.
If anybody has some sound explanation, or links to websites that tell the true facts of chlorine I'd appreciate it.
My pool info: I let chlorine go between 3-6 PPM. CYA level is 40, and PH is almost always 7.5. 7.6ish currently. All other levels are totally average.