QUESTION: How to treat Contact Eczema around eyes from swimming goggles

Hi. I think I to suffer from what might what might be considered contact excema around my eyes after swimming.

I'm not sure whether it is the rubber seal on the goggles or the chlorine or both. I was wondering what cream I might use around the area to protect it before swimming.

Do you have any thoughts on whether foam sealed goggles would be better?

Also my son gets a rash after being in the sea in his wetsuit. Any suggestions of which cream might be most helpful here?

Many thanks in advance for your help. January 2012

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ANSWER: How to treat contact dermatitis around eyes from swimming goggles

Hi, You are most likely correct that the rash around your eyes is a contact dermatitis. Firstly I would ensure the seal of the goggles is a silicone base rather than a rubber base although most are silicone these days.

Secondly, I would get a 100g jar of my Hypoallergenic Face and Body balm and apply it to the area affected before you go in the water and afterwards. Dermatitis from pool chemicals is really common and this should solve the problem.

If your son is getting a rash in the groin and/or under the arms as well as other areas from his wetsuit he should apply my Psorexederm cream to the area once it is dry. As the cream is white and a bit messy it is best applied at night, not when he wears his wet suit. If he surfs/dives a lot this may be needed over a period of time.

It is very soothing especially if the area is itchy of even raw. It is quite safe to apply anywhere in the groin area and helps "waterproof" the area for the next time he goes swimming.

Kind Regards, David Hosking.

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Q&Amp;A Aggravation of eczema by swiming pool and spa chlorine

Thank you for the positive feedback on our products which is much appreciated.

I am a great believer in teaching children how to swim right from babyhood and the reason chlorinated swimming pools can aggravate eczema is due to the chlorine levels. Spas are worst at aggravating eczema, heated swiming pools are not as bad , cold pools usually are not a problem and fresh water lakes are the best.

A short lesson on swimming pool chemistry: Increased heat means a higher level of chlorine or other bacteria destroying agent must be used. Also increased load of people in the bathing pool will increase the chemicals needed to be put in to keep the water safe.

So fresh water in lakes etc will not cause problems, Spas are at the highest temperature and have twice the chemicals of chlorinated heated pools and cold water pools require the lowest level of chlorine or other sanitizers. Ocean Sea water (saltwater) will also aggravate eczema as it is very drying to the skin. Salt water pools still use chlorine as the disinfectant. The filter system produces the required amount of chlorine from the salt.

You have correctly said :
Chlorine ( and other agents such as bromine) in pools will aggravate eczema so if swimming apply Lavender Face and Body Balm all over the affected areas prior to bathing to avoid any problems.

When using sunscreen, apply our lavender balm first then the sunscreen over the top.

After leaving the pool, dry them and reapply balm and sunscreen as required.

Hope this helps!
Kind Regards,
David Hosking
P.S. I am forwarding a copy of your question to my webdesigner, as I think it is a great question to add more helpful info to the site. (it will be deidentified of course)

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Hi there,
I had a question about which order to apply your Lavender balm and sunscreen.
Is it sunscreen first, or Lavender balm first?

Thanks from a very satisfied customer. Your products are fabulous.
Los Angeles, USA June 06, 2006

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Hi, That often happens. The reason I believe is due to a number of causes.

1. Children skin is sensitive.
2. Children's skin reflects their health, if they get a cold or start teething the eczema seems to flare up.
3. Environment is important. Winter and central heating dries out the skin and flares up the eczema, Summer warmth and greater humidity quickly clears or reduces the problem.
4. New foods may trigger it so avoid acidic foods like orange juice for a while, stewed apples and similar are good.
5. As children get older their immune system copes better with the many allergens all environments.
6. One third of children aged 0-5years will get eczema , most grow out of it completely by about 3 years with the severity of bouts reducing.

What this means is you just treat each bout as it occurs, when learning to swim later on, apply balm to the body and face before going in the pool as chlorine/pool chemicals/salt aggravate eczema but learning to swim at an rarely age is what I consider a survival skill.

Once they have had all their vaccinations start teaching them to swim. (A personal view, as our family love the water, but with so many ponds, baths, etc around it is an essential skill but I digress) So expect the eczema to come and go. Use the balm to stop the skin drying out and that will minimize extremes of eczema. Don't worry too much as nature will do the rest, just protect the skin and help it along. let me know if I can help at any time.

Kind Regards, David Hosking.