The Real Reason Why You Should Shower Before Swimming

Why do swimming pools ask you to shower before entering the water?

Swimming pools contain a dilute amount of chlorine that acts as a disinfectant, killing bacteria like salmonella and E.coli. Our sweat reacts with chlorine to form chloramine, a compound known to cause skin irritation and itchiness, especially in those with eczema.

Dr Lucinda Tan from the National Skin Centre adds that exposure to the chemical is also known to cause dry hair, itchy eyes and throat irritation.

For more on the chlorine levels in our pools, what chloramines are and why we should be concerned, and how swimmers’ personal hygiene practices are important to keeping the pools clean, watch the full episode of #TalkingPoint​: How Clean Are Our Public Pools? https://cna.asia/2OcqMsf