Red Eyes After Swimming? 3 Common Causes

When you hop in your swimming pool, all you want is to relax and enjoy a soothing swim. However, that’s hard to do if you come out with red, itchy, or burning eyes. If that happens to you regularly, in your very own pool, then it’s important to identify the cause. After all, that’s the only way to put a stop to the problem.

Cause #1: Chemical Sensitivity

No one ever said life was fair. And, one unfortunate thing about it is that some people are just more sensitive to chemicals than others. Thus, if you find yourself with irritated eyes after a swim, and no one else does, your own body could be to blame.

To be safe, you may still want to test your water chemistry. But, if everything looks good and no one else is having problems, you might just need to invest in a good pair of goggles.

Cause #2: Pee in the Pool

It’s a gross thing to admit, but many people pee in the pool. And, unfortunately, when urine and chlorine meet, irritating chemicals known as chloramines form. As such, if you’re a chronic pool peer, stop your bad habit! If you’re not to blame, you may want to remind all your regular pool users that bathrooms are available. If either of these things makes a difference, then you’ll know what the problem was, though you may have a hard time identifying the perpetrator.

Cause #3: Nearby Allergens

Sometimes, swimming pools get an unfairly bad rep. In fact, red eyes after swimming are not always due to the pool itself. In some cases, surrounding plants or trees could be to blame. If you think this could be true in your case, pop an allergy pill before swimming or visit a doctor for an allergen test. If the problem improves after you take action, you’ll know your pool isn’t at fault.

No one wants to deal with red eyes after swimming. But, if it it’s a problem for you or someone else who uses your pool, investigate the issue promptly. The sooner you do, the sooner you can identify and fix the real problem.