Chlorine?

[ea17630]

Hello - I'm new here and just wanted to ask people a question

I have recently joined a gym and deciding to swimming for cardio exercise - but I think it may be making my skin worse and causing flare ups - I also have had a bad stomach and I'm wondering if this is all connected.

Has anyone else had experiences with mastocytosis and chlorine?

[Jess-UKMasto Partner]

I'm sorry you're not getting on with your new exercise trial : (. I have indolent SM and don't do well with the smell of chlorine and changed gyms to avoid doing my non-pool exercise in the chlorine-laced air. Some folks do tolerate swimming in a chlorinated pool if they rinse thoroughly afterward and some don't. I actually found that I was reacting also to the pool temperature and I've given up swimming entirely because my spots react (get raised and angry) and then I have a reaction in multiple body systems (GI included). Though I'm used to not swimming anymore, I really miss it. I was a lifeguard and swimming teacher when I was around university age.

[ea17630 in reply to Jess-UKMasto]

Thanks for your response! I haven’t been diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis but have some form of it - this is why it’s so frustrating because it’s not usually that bad! I really enjoying swimming and would hate to give it up - I can cope with the itching if I shower and use special products but not sure if my stomach can hack it

[Jess-UKMasto Partner in reply to ea17630]

You might talk with your doctor about whether you could tweak your medications before the exercise to get better coverage when you're pushing it a bit? Happy to talk about how to pursue a more precise diagnosis if that's something you are wanting to do : ).

[konak]

I get very ichy skin if I stay in the water for more than 10-15mins. I love swimming but too scarred to venture. I used to do quick laps for 15 mins and come out . If the water is cold then I can stay a bit longer compared to warm water. But recently I have been having more hives and tummy ache. So I dont know if I should try having anti- allergy before swimming but so far just avoiding it all together. Changed my exercise to Zumba and dancing.