It is very common for you to have coughing after swimming, especially if you have a sensitive throat. The chlorine in the pool can cause irritation and coughing, which is why it’s important to take precautions before getting into the water. In this article we will talk about how to treat a chlorine cough as well as some remedies that may help with your symptoms.
Supervised by pulmonologist Hannah Nguyen, DO.
Why you cough after swimming
After swimming, most people experience a chlorine cough. A chlorine cough is due to irritated throat from the chlorinated water. If you have asthma, this irritation can aggravate your condition and cause coughing episodes that are more intense than usual.
When there’s too much chlorine in the pool, it will irritate your respiratory system by causing inflammation or soreness of the membranes lining your airways (nasal passages). The higher levels of chlorine will also weaken lung function so even if you’re not coughing yet when you get out of the pool, those who swim often may start having trouble breathing later on as they go about their day outside of a public pool setting.
Indoor pool vs Outdoor pool
An indoor pool is much easier to regulate the chlorine levels because there are water treatment systems and chemicals that help keep it at a safe level. The chlorine content in an outdoor pool can vary greatly depending on weather conditions, how many people are swimming, or whether anyone has peed in the pool (gross). This means more exposure time of your respiratory system to higher levels of chlorinated water which may irritate it even further with coughing episodes coming from as low as 20 minutes spent outside a public pool setting.
Outdoor pools have their own set of health hazards: some locations don’t allow you to wear nose plugs while others leave open containers filled with drinks by the side of the deck where they invite children and pets both inside and out of the water. These factors can also lead to coughing episodes, as well as an increase in chlorine content and exposure time due to direct contact with it.
Potential problems with coughing after swimming
Coughing after swimming can lead to some long-term health issues. Coughing, such as coughing after an intense swim session in chlorine water, temporarily increases the work of your respiratory system and may cause temporary chest pain or tightness. This is due to a buildup of fluid around one’s lungs which then causes excess mucus production that needs to be cleared from the airways. With chronic coughs related to chlorine exposure over time this build up becomes severe enough that it leads into pneumonia and other lung diseases where there are more serious consequences than just temporary discomfort with coughing episodes.
Long term problems include things like asthma attacks triggered by prolonged contact with chlorinated water, worsened allergies for those who suffer from them already (possiblity of increased developing a chlorine sensitivity), and even the development of cancer from breathing in chlorine.
Precautions for coughing after swimming
The first thing to do is not continue swimming. This will slow down the chlorine’s effect on your system and reduce symptoms.
Next, be sure to drink plenty of fluids (especially with electrolytes). You want to make up for any loss in fluid that has occurred from coughing or vomiting. Drinking may also help clear out excess mucus and congestion by increasing respiratory rate which stimulates movement of air through your lungs when you cough it all back up again.
Then take some time outside so as soon as possible after exposure: open windows, go for a walk/jog, lie in fresh air – try anything where you’re breathing clean air instead of vapours from pools or anything else.
Remember, use a face mask or cover your mouth if you’re coughing. There might be viruses from your cough, and it’s better be safe than sorry.
Remedies for cough after swimming
There are many remedies for a cough after swimming. We will mention some of them, and then we’ll finish with our recommendation.
- Drink plenty of fluids (especially water) to replace any lost fluid from coughing or vomiting.
- Breathe in steam to help remove mucus and open up your airways if time allows before going into the chlorine again
- Take an over the counter decongestant that has saline in it like Pain Relief nasal spray or Mucinex Chest Congestion Maximum Strength 12 Hour Extended Release pills.
- Take an over the counter cough suppressant like Robitussin Cough Suppressant.
- Drink hot tea or warm fluids to help relieve discomfort from coughing.
- Steam inhalation (such as sauna) is a good option if you do not have access to fresh air because it helps open up your sinuses which can cause coughing in some people. If you don’t have access to sauna, try boiling water and something like an old pot lid, paper towel, or rag with holes as shown above for this remedy.
- Always use a nose plug when swimming in chlorine water to avoid irritation and dryness of the nasal passages that leads to coughing.
Is swimming in salt water pool a better option?
Chlorine level in salt water pool is often lower than in regular pool. This may be a factor if someone has asthma or other breathing problems and is coughing after swimming. So Yes, swimming in salt water pool is a good option if you’re experience coughing.
Final thoughts
We hope these remedies help you to get rid of your chlorine cough. If not, see a doctor for further advice on what might be the cause.
Safe swimming.