If you live in a town without access to a natural body of water, you might see the public pool as the only way of enjoying a few hours of swimming. These venues are great for staying in shape, but also for spending quality time with your family and friends.
Most of the public pools advertise their concern for health by mentioning that the chlorinated water is perfectly safe for your well-being.
However, the truth is that you can get a high number of diseases from a single swim. Furthermore, you don’t even need to get into the water to catch a virus or bacteria that will ruin your toenails or your skin.
Here are some of the most dangerous medical conditions that you can get from the public pool:
Diarrhea
When you get diarrhea, you tend to blame it on something that you had for lunch or dinner the previous day. Few people realize that their running stools are the effects of a happy, splashy day at the public pool. One of the most common parasites that live in these bodies of water is cryptosporidium, which is incredibly resilient to chlorine and hunts human victims with killer accuracy.
This parasite is responsible for over 10% of all the post-swim illnesses that you can get from a public pool. Once you get a crypto infection, you will experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and terrible diarrhea. The key to avoiding infection is to prevent any water from entering your mouth. Also, you need to refrain from touching your face before you wash your hands thoroughly.
Pinkeye
Heavily-chlorinated pools may contain fewer parasites, but they also pose a high risk of developing an allergic reaction to chlorine. This chemical substance may cause redness of the skin, a burning sensation in your eyes and constant tearing. You can prevent some of these issues by showering before and after swimming in the pool, and wearing protective goggles while you are in the water.
Hot Tub Rash
On the other hand, a poorly-chlorinated pool can increase the risk of catching Legionella, which is a type of bacteria living in hot tub facilities. It causes a skin infection that is commonly known as “hot tub rash,” which produces an unbearable itch all across your body. To avoid getting this medical condition, you need to shower as soon as you get out of the tub, and wash your swimming suit, too.
Toenail Fungus
If you think that staying out of the water when you go to the community pool will keep you safe from diseases, you are wrong. The chlorinated water is not the only potential provider of infections. You only need a barefoot walk around the pool to get onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection that affects your toenails and the skin surrounding them.
Toenail fungus appears as a gradual deterioration of your nails. At first, they become discolored and flaky, and very soon they break and fall off. The skin around them also loses its natural color, turns red and becomes itchy. Without proper remedial action, you risk the spreading of the infection to the other toes, and even to your nails.
Your best defense against toenail fungus is Zetaclear – a natural solution that uses herbal extracts and organic nutrients to reduce the damage produced by the fungi. Apply this potent liquid on your toes after coming back from the public pool, and you should decrease the risk of infection. Regular applications may restore your nail to full health and your skin to its original complexion.
Giardiasis
Another parasite that lurks in the chlorinated waters of the public pool is giardia. This little leech is passed through gas and poop. So, you have a significant risk of contracting it if you use a less-hygienic body of water. The adverse side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and severe nausea.
E Coli
Your intestines seem to be the ones to suffer the most after a day of hanging out at the pool. If you swim in poorly-chlorinated water, or where the sources of contamination have not been adequately removed, you have a significant risk of ingesting E Coli, which will cause you diarrhea and spasmodic abdominal pain for days to follow.