Yeast infection is quite common when it comes to swimming in the pool or bath. As long as you refuse to take proper precautions, then yeast infection is bound to occur. Is yeast infection caused by chlorine? Is the yeast infection dangerous? These are some of the very important questions that we will be answering in this article.
Pool experts, as well as dermatologists, have conducted several research to check if chlorine can cause yeast infection when swimmers contact the swimming pool. And the answer has been positive.
Chlorinating swimming pool water has been known to always destroy the presence of bacteria and also hinder algae growth. However, the reverse is the case. Although chlorine kills bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other parasites in the water. But it appears that the super-strong chlorine is not strong enough to destroy yeast growth.
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How Does A Swimmer Contact Yeast Infection From The Pool?
Yeast infection is commonly caused by a fungus called Candida. This fungus called Candida is usually found in wet areas in the body. Areas such as the mouth, and the vagina.
This infection is usually common among women especially women with vaginal yeast infection as a result of STI (Sexually transmitted disease). But when you notice this yeast infection after a long swim, then it is advisable to see the doctor for proper medical support and treatment.
Typically, chlorine is made for the pool water to get sanitized and healthy for you to get in. And what chlorine does is kill every form of bacteria present in the pool and on your body. There are some beneficial bacteria that are present in your body that help to protect the outer skin from infections such as yeast.
The chlorine in the pool kills these bacteria as a result of prolonged swimming hours or prolonged wet swimsuits on the body without rinsing the body immediately after taking a swim. And then this leaves room for yeast to thrive. Hence, yeast infection is contracted.
Is It Possible To Still Enjoy A Swim After A Yeast Infection?
Yes! There’s a huge probability that you can enjoy your swim even after contracting the infection. Just ensure that you are placed under medication. Otherwise, it is better if you don’t take a swim in the pool so that you don’t endanger others as well. Because other swimmers in the pool will be at risk of contracting this infection.
What Are The Symptoms Of Contracting Yeast Infection?
There are certain symptoms that you should look out for if you have just had a long swim, or you’ve had a wet swimsuit on for a long period of time. When you notice itching in your vaginal uncontrollably for some time, then it means that yeast infection might be responsible.
When you also notice unnecessary burning and irritation, redness of the skin, thick milky discharge, and sometimes, painful sexual intercourse. Do not underestimate the power of yeast infection. As soon as the symptoms are noticeable, get in touch with a doctor.
How Can You Prevent And Treat A Yeast Infection?
There are several ways to get rid of the infection. Do you know you can swim in the pool even for long hours without getting any yeast infection? And so, one of the ways to curb the growth of yeast infection is by putting on cotton underwear.
Ensure that you do not also wear tight-fitting underwear. Whatever restricts airflow, then you should avoid it. In a nutshell, avoid tightfitting undergarments. If you pick a swimsuit, pick the one that has a cotton crotch. If otherwise there is none, get a cotton crotch.
Another way of getting rid of yeast infection is by changing out of your damp swimsuit after swimming, and then taking a rinse beneath the shower to rinse off every chlorine on the body. Yeast infection does affect men and children too.
So the best thing to do in this situation is after your kids might have had a long swim, let them take off their swimsuits immediately, and rinse their bodies in the shower to get the chlorine off their bodies. Otherwise, leaving it further might cause this infection. So do not think that yeast infection is only for women. Because it thrives in a wet environment.
Does Chlorine Tablets Cause Yeast Infection?
As long as it’s got the name chlorine attached to it, then it is capable of causing yeast infection when it stays long on the swimmer’s body. So, whether you use chlorine tablets or chlorine liquid, or granules, they are still capable of causing yeast infection because they are from the same chlorine family.
All you need to do is, take note of the precaution and stick to them so that you don’t get this infection when you aren’t supposed to. Asides from yeast infection, chlorine can cause a lot of issues especially when your skin is exposed to it.
Too much exposure can cause dryness of the skin, itchiness, and even rashes. So even though chlorine is beneficial to the water we drink and swim in, it is also important to take note of some of the negative effects when it becomes too much on your skin.
Treatment
Chlorinated water from swimming pools, causes a kind of irritation against the skin areas of the sensitive area of the body called the vulva which is often referred to as the external organ of the body.
Antifungal creams are used to suppress and treat these yeast infections. Antifungal creams like Vagistat.
There are some others, that we do not know. However, the health practitioner treats you with the antifungal cream for about 7 days. These creams are known as the standard remedy to solve every yeast infection problem. Meanwhile, be sure that you have a yeast infection before treating it.
Final Thoughts
Chlorine according to major pool experts, has pointed out how it can cause a yeast infection in oblivious swimmers. So, since you are aware of the preventive details, try to take proper precautions to avoid yeast infection as a result of chlorine from the pool.
