Pool chemicals?

[Beth0810]

Does anyone know what kind of sanitation (Chlorine, Bromine, salt water) is used at the Bay Lake Tower Pool? My kids have both gotten a rash from the pool, two years in a row. Last year, I thought it was sunscreen allergy or maybe a viral rash, but this year, they both broke out the day after we used the pool, and as long as we stayed away from the pool, the rash got better.

Also, the water in the bathtub seemed to be really irritating to the kids, and even my husband was itchy after showering. My hair had a film on it after we got home, also. I'm not sure if it was the water in the resort, or the pool. Anyone else get a rash after staying at a Disney resort?

 

[dzorn]

Does anyone know what kind of sanitation (Chlorine, Bromine, salt water) is used at the Bay Lake Tower Pool? My kids have both gotten a rash from the pool, two years in a row. Last year, I thought it was sunscreen allergy or maybe a viral rash, but this year, they both broke out the day after we used the pool, and as long as we stayed away from the pool, the rash got better.

Also, the water in the bathtub seemed to be really irritating to the kids, and even my husband was itchy after showering. My hair had a film on it after we got home, also. I'm not sure if it was the water in the resort, or the pool. Anyone else get a rash after staying at a Disney resort?

I believe they use bromine.

I get sun poisoning every time I get a lot of sun even if I am not at disney which looks like a rash. Google it.

Denise in MI

 

[THERESA522]

My 8 yo DD got a rash after the first night of swimming at POR. The rash was only under the bathing suit area in the front. I don't know if it was the pool, though, since it wasn't all over her body, but she's worn the suit b4 without a problem.

 

[RMulieri]

They use High concentrate Bromine.It shouldn't be causing a rash though.

 

[disneydee6]

I used to work at a pool store. People often blame red eyes and itchy skin on chlorine, when actually that is low levels of pH in the water. Pool water can be crystal clear, but often, crystal clear can mean your alkalinity and pH levels are low. (and also, when you go to a pool and it stinks of chlorine, it's actually chloromines, and basically that pool is not processing any of the chlorine being put in it lol). Out of whack pH levels cause itchy skin and itchy scalps, burning on eyes,etc. Sounds similiar to some of the problems your family had in the pool.
Bromine actually is much less abrasive, and it is nice that the disney pools use that because if they did use chlorine, more people would probably have rashes and allergies to the pools. Bromine is used more down south, and I believe it's because bromine is more stable in the warm temps. However, while Bromine is a better sanitizer than chlorine, they are essentially the same type of chemical, so if your kids have allergies to chlorine, they may have allergy to bromine as well.
It may be that there are low pH levels in the pools, it may be a bromine allergy, or an overexposure to the sun. I can't imagine the scale of taking care of the large pools in disney, but I don't know the solution for your family, but I figured I'd at least offer some insight into pool problems lol.

 

[poohfriend9]

I have approx 30 visits to Disney resorts and never had problem in the pools until last September. I broke out in a major rash all over from too much chlorine in the pool. My husband had them check the pool levels and informed them of my rash. That is one and only time it has happened. Although I wasn't at Bay Lake pool that you mentioned.

You can always ask the pool staff any questions you may have about chemicals they use.

 

[tmarquez]

We live in FL and have a regular chlorine pool ourselves. Every time DD swims in a Disney pool she gets a reaction on her face that looke like a pretty bad sunburn. But...it's not a sunburn. I guess she must be allergic or sensitive to bromine.

The minute she gets out of the pool, even if its just for a few minutes, I rinse her face with fresh water and put aloe on it. This helps a lot but after more than just a few days she still gets peeling skin.

 

[Beth0810]

Well, if it's Bromine, then there is my answer. Bromine might be less "toxic" than chlorine, but more people (3%) are allergic to it than chlorine. My son swims in chlorine and saltwater without any problem, but at Disney gets this terrible rash after swimming in their pools, and now I know why.

Now. My next question is, are there ANY pools at Disney Resorts that are chlorine, which would be safe for my family? Bromine is NOT safe and we cannot swim in a resort pool that has it.

 

[CarrieR]

Also, the water in the bathtub seemed to be really irritating to the kids, and even my husband was itchy after showering. My hair had a film on it after we got home, also. I'm not sure if it was the water in the resort, or the pool. Anyone else get a rash after staying at a Disney resort?

The water at Disney is terrible -- my friend and I have visited together a bunch this year, and we both break out within a day or so of arriving. If we are creative with our schedule and put off showering a bit, we can delay it, so we're certain it's the water.

I also use the no-'poo method on my hair, which works great here in Ohio. I used it our first trip in Florida, and my hair was so disgusting by the time I got home (after just a few days down there!) that I've broken down and used shampoo while I was there. The irritation to my scalp from the shampoo was the lesser of the two evils.

 

[RMulieri]

Well, if it's Bromine, then there is my answer. Bromine might be less "toxic" than chlorine, but more people (3%) are allergic to it than chlorine. My son swims in chlorine and saltwater without any problem, but at Disney gets this terrible rash after swimming in their pools, and now I know why.

Now. My next question is, are there ANY pools at Disney Resorts that are chlorine, which would be safe for my family? Bromine is NOT safe and we cannot swim in a resort pool that has it.

AFAIK they all use Bromine

 

[pjacobi]

A properly maintained pool does not cause skin irritation!

If the pool is not constantly maintained, an in balance in water chemistry does causes skin irritation.

I would encourage you to talk to someone at your hotel about pool chemistry. They should be more than happy to explain water testing schedule and pool maintenance procedures.

As a last resort, test the pool yourself with water test strips available from local pool store.


-Paul

 

[scottmel]

Funny this thread came out. DD the last two summers towards the END of our trip will get such extreme dryness/redness on her face it would hurt to smile. Seems to be SAB as the culprit though DH and I are fine. I got a recommendation for two products one is called "gloves in a bottle" and the other I forget, but I bought them both on amazon. They are to be a protective barrier between you and the pool water. Now in DD's case this only happens on her face, rest of body is fine. So I don't think this would help an all over body rash but if someone is experiencing AREAS of rash, I would give it a try. I bought them both for our June trip...The summer BEFORE now that I think about this was in AKL pool...last summer was SAB pool but happens at END of trip.

 

[Beth0810]

Um, Paul? If someone is allergic to bromine, as 3% of the population is, then yes, even a properly maintained pool would cause a rash.

 

[MissionMouse]

Our youngest daughter experienced eye irritation at SAB and we confirmed the pool was using bromine. I would expect it is used property wide.

 

[notaclue]

Same thing happened to me after an hour in the quiet pool at the Poly 2 years ago. I had a pool for years and used chlorine and didn't have that problem.

 

[dzorn]

Funny this thread came out. DD the last two summers towards the END of our trip will get such extreme dryness/redness on her face it would hurt to smile. Seems to be SAB as the culprit though DH and I are fine. I got a recommendation for two products one is called "gloves in a bottle" and the other I forget, but I bought them both on amazon. They are to be a protective barrier between you and the pool water. Now in DD's case this only happens on her face, rest of body is fine. So I don't think this would help an all over body rash but if someone is experiencing AREAS of rash, I would give it a try. I bought them both for our June trip...The summer BEFORE now that I think about this was in AKL pool...last summer was SAB pool but happens at END of trip.

Does she use different sun screen on her face than the rest of her?

Denise in MI

 

[scottmel]

Does she use different sun screen on her face than the rest of her?

Denise in MI

Great question Denise but I use nuetrogena (spelling?) face/body all one lotion on her ALL over. HOWEVER I have been known to use a small tub of other stuff but that is stuff I would use all the time here. That puzzles me unless the chemicals in THEIR pool react differently than our pool chemicals in PA. Interesting thought, Denise. thanks! I will make sure to keep it completely consistant with face/body.

 

[pjacobi]

Um, Paul? If someone is allergic to bromine, as 3% of the population is, then yes, even a properly maintained pool would cause a rash.

It is far more likely that skin irritation was caused by an in balance in pool chemistry caused by dirty pool.

Only a doctor can confirm a specific allergy, which requires a skin test of dozens of different compounds.


-Paul

 

[JennyDrake]

I'm just curious--if it is a true allergy, would taking a non drowsy antihistamine help? Anyone ever tried it?