Neumosur is the Association and Thoracic Surgery of the South (Andalusia, Extremadura, Ceuta and Melilla), and warns us that 'swimming in pools with excess chlorine may increase the chances of a child developing asthma symptoms'.
It is a risk we had already talked about in Peques and Más; and the probability increase the smaller the child, the longer you stay in the water, the more water in the pool you drink, the less personal hygiene is required when diving and the higher the water temperature.
It seems that the risk is greater in children who regularly go to the pool, and are less than six or seven years old, because at these ages usually they don't swim, but they splash. Therefore they inhale and swallow more water particles with chloramine, a substance that can injure the pulmonary epithelium and cause asthmatic symptoms such as cough, chest pitos or choking.
Chloramine can also trigger asthma in predisposed (atopic) children.
How does chloramine originate?
The mixture of hypochlorous acid (the result of the combination of chlorine with water), sweat, saliva and urine (frequent when there are young children), causes this substance.
Chloramine levels are higher in excess chlorine pools, not ventilated (covered), with higher water temperature and poor hygienic conditions of swimmers, so parents are advised to make sure that the facilities to which they take their children have the corresponding permits, and avoid in any case those whose conditions are suspicious.
Recommendations to avoid risk
Check that the facilities gather permits and suitable conditions.
Avoid the bathroom when an excess of chlorine is suspected by the smell or inadequate maintenance of hygienic conditions.
Try not to let children swallow water.
Avoid baths and exposures that are too long to chlorine.
Shower before bathing and demand that others do so, also to children.
Use and demand the use of specific diapers for bathing in minors.
Take special care with children under 2-3 years old and with predisposed (atopic) children.
Encourage asthmatic children to play sports, knowing which are the most appropriate and under what conditions should be practiced. Swimming can be an appropriate sport, but there are situations and conditions in which it can be harmful, especially in places with a high concentration of irritants such as chlorine.
Opt better for outdoor than indoor pools. Avoid pools with poor ventilation.
The colder the water, the lower the risk, although sudden temperature changes should be avoided.
Asthmatic children and sport
Asthma affects more than 300 million people in the world and it is the most frequent cause of chronic childhood respiratory disease. Neumosur reminds parents of asthmatic children that minors can, and should do sports, but they must follow a set of rules and consult with their doctor (pulmonologist, allergist, pediatrician or primary care physician) any questions that may arise.
The asthmatic can do any sport, but there are a number of them more indicated than others. Swimming can be a suitable sport for asthmatics, although it should not be forgotten that the bronchial tubes of these patients can overreact to external stimuli. In this way, irritating substances such as chlorine can cause your bronchi to become irritated and cause asthmatic symptoms or trigger a 'latent' asthma in predisposed subjects. In the same way, this fact can occur in the face of sudden changes in temperature, for example, when it is thrown abruptly into very cold water.
We must remember that (in addition to children under 6-7 years old), excess chlorine in swimming pools is accused before by people with allergy or respiratory illness, as well as the people most exposed to water, in the case of monitors, caregivers, maintenance personnel, etc., who are recommended to be inflexible and demanding in complying with the adequate hygienic conditions of the pool and its surroundings.
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