How to manage my 17-year-old son's eczema caused by chlorine?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son is 17 years old and has been dealing with progressively worsening eczema across his upper back, shoulders, and behind both ears for nearly ten months now. He recently joined a competitive swimming team, and we strongly suspect that daily chlorine exposure in the pool might be significantly aggravating his already sensitive skin condition.

Can a general physician assess whether regular chlorine and chemical exposure in a 17-year-old competitive swimmer is directly worsening his eczema and recommend safe, practical solutions that allow him to continue training? Are there specific barrier creams or pre-swim protocols that actually work effectively for young athletes with sensitized skin?

His confidence and performance have both suffered tremendously, and he is on the verge of quitting the sport he loves.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Chlorine can strip the skin’s natural oils, disrupt the protective skin barrier, and worsen eczema, especially with daily exposure.

A helpful pre-swim routine includes applying a thick barrier cream to affected areas before entering the pool. It is also beneficial to shower with fresh water first and apply the cream 15 to 20 minutes before swimming so it can absorb properly.

Immediately after swimming, he should rinse off chlorine thoroughly with lukewarm water, use a gentle cleanser, pat the skin dry, and apply a medium-potency topical steroid, such as Hydrocortisone 2.5% or Triamcinolone 0.1%, only on active eczema patches, while using moisturizer on all other areas.

Additional practical measures include wet wrap therapy at night during severe flare-ups, using a swim cap or earplugs to protect the skin behind the ears, and using a vitamin C spray (10 to 20% ascorbic acid) after swimming to help neutralize residual chlorine before rinsing.

If there is no improvement within two weeks, patch testing may be helpful to rule out other contact allergens. Swimming should be stopped temporarily if the skin becomes open, weeping, or shows signs of infection such as yellow crusting, spreading redness, or fever.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.