At the same time, chlorine dries out skin, and that can aggravate any other skin irritations you may have. It can cause itchy, red skin or even hives, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI).Ī chlorine rash isn’t actually an allergic reaction, but it’s a form of irritant dermatitis-kind of like a minor chemical burn-that’s caused by hypersensitivity to chlorine, the ACAAI says. What is a chlorine rash, exactly?Ī chlorine rash is a red, itchy rash that appears on your skin a few hours after you swim in a chlorinated pool or hot tub. Take the first step to getting back in the pool by diving right into our expert-approved tips for preventing and treating chlorine rash. But does one itchy patch of skin mean you’re allergic to chlorine? Dermatologists confirm that experiencing this once doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a lifetime of sitting poolside while everyone else swims.
The reaction is called a chlorine rash and, as you can imagine, it’s not exactly comfortable. For many, the substance causes a mild case of dry skin. If you’ve ever experienced dry, tight skin after swimming in a pool, chances are it’s due to the chemical that’s helping to keep the water clean: chlorine.