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Chlorine Allergy Symptoms

Some people are allergic to chlorine, but they may not know their allergy exists until they are exposed to the chemical. Allergic reaction to chlorine is a type four allergy, also known as a cell-mediated or delayed allergy. After being exposed to chlorine, one can tell he is allergic to it by watching for certain signs and symptoms.

  1. Eye Irritation

    • Eye irritation from chlorine is not only restricted to swimmers, but applies to those who are exposed to the chemical through the use of household products or chlorine fumes. If one's eyes consistently become itchy, red, dry or watery after coming in contact with chlorine, there is a possibility that person may have a chlorine allergy.

    Dry Skin

    • Dry skin should not be confused with the white patches that swimmers occasionally get--the white patches aren't an allergic reaction or dry skin but a type of yeast infection. If a person notices that her skin becomes tight, itchy or starts peeling after coming in contact with chlorine through swimming, household products or wearing fabrics that have been treated with chlorine, she may have a chlorine allergy.

    Coughing

    • Starting to cough whenever one comes in contact with chlorine by smell or touch is a sign of an allergic reaction. This symptom needs to be consistent before assuming one has an allergy; in other words, if one does not always start coughing after coming into contact with chlorine, he may just have a sensitivity instead of a true allergy.

    Sneezing

    • This symptom is most common after breathing in chlorine fumes, including being around pools treated with it and being exposed to household chemicals containing chlorine. If one consistently has fits of sneezing after being around chlorine, it is possible she is allergic to it.

    Stuffed or Itchy Nose

    • If a person's nose becomes itchy or stuffed up after smelling chlorine fumes (such as after opening a bottle of chlorine bleach) or after coming in contact with chlorine (such as when swimming in a pool treated with it), chlorine allergy is a possible cause. However, if the chlorine was ingested in a pool through accidentally breathing in or swallowing water, the person likely has swimmer's sinusitis as opposed to an allergy.

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