Unusual skin condition

2 years ago I bought a house with an in-ground pool. This has been my first exposure to ownership. But anyway, we swam as a family in the pool and during that time I started taking requip to help with my restless legs syndrome. So when I started to experience a sever itching that started around my Achilles tendon and up my calves, onto my thighs and eventually my lower back and arms, I thought for sure I was experiencing an allergic reaction to the drug.

Coincidentally when I stopped taking the Requip, was about the same time the season for swimming had concluded. But prior to the season ending I went to a dermatologist for help at which point the resolution appeared to be obvious, the Requip was guilty. However prior to the diagnosis, the dermatologist had 7 possible problems, of which a skin infection was listed. The following year, swimming started up and I commenced the swimming. Well within one hour after swimming I found my legs and waist began to itch again.

I ceased swimming for the whole year. And went to the "pool" experts for help, but have found NO solution. I have shocked my pool for over 3 weeks straight now to "kill the bacteria". I have adjusted the PH. I have algicided the stinking thing for weeks now.

Thinking I might have conquered the best, I went swimming with the family at the start of this new season, and last night after swimming, within 1 hour or so of being in up to my waist, I developed the intense itch on my inner thighs, some on my waist.

I am at my wits end, because I have never in all my life had such a bizarre reaction to swimming as I am now.

I have enclosed a picture of my leg as of this morning. Just on a side note, I am the only one of the 6 people in the house experiencing this nightmare of a reaction.

What I am looking for is ideas on what it might be and ideas on how I might address the issue. I have looked up many things and attempted to follow the advise of these things, such as maybe my CYA was too high for the Chlorine to do its job, but it is only around 65. Like I said I have used algecide for 3 weeks straight.

Please if you can give me some assistance I would so appreciate it!

Scott

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since you are showing these symptoms after entering the swimming pool,so it might be that you are allergic to chlorine or any of the contents of swimming pool.It has been reported that swimming pool water increases the predisposition to allergies and hay fever in swimmers.You can confirm that be getting yourself tested for allergies by an allergist.Skin ***** tests and blood tests like RAST are employed to find if you are allergic to chlorine found in swimming pools or any other chemical in the pool.

If you face any of such symptoms again,pls take an over the counter antihistaminic like benadryl or zyrtec.If symptoms are severe,oral steroids may be needed.Also,if it is your private pool,then ask swimming pool manufacturers to replace chlorine with some other chemical to which you are not allergic.

If you sense any difficulty in breathing after entering the pool,then pls consult an ER immediately as it can be life threatening anaphylaxis.

I hope that helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.