To ask if anybody has withdrawn kids from swimming for very sensitive eczema prone skin?

[AnythingPecan]

DC has just received a letter from the school about swimming lessons starting in the next few weeks until January.
DC suffers from sensitive skin and eczema during the dry winter months.
DC is seeing a derma. Currently skin is in good condition but that’s because the weather is still relatively warm and the central heating hasn’t yet been switched on yet. We’re also doing our bit to prepare DC’s skin for the winter by taking daily Dead Sea salt baths and religiously moisturising skin to ensure skin is winter ready. Chlorine is a trigger for DC as it severely dries out the skin. Eczema skin needs constant moisturising and I don’t think somehow a child will be able to manage the routines involved in managing eczema.

Is it too much to request that I withdraw DC from swimming and would they need to see a medical note? The school is aware of DC’s eczema issues.

I always excuse my youngest for this reason. I just send him in, on the first day of lessons, with a note saying he won’t be doing any swimming lessons due to eczema. Never been a problem and never been asked for a doctors note.

I used to do this with (now late teen) DS.

Swimming was fine but only when young that I could ensure he was properly showered and "creamed" afterwards.

It also had to be done in moderation.

It's absolutely reasonable to ask that either his condition is accommodated by not attending or a suitable adult (parent/grandparent) is available to help him manage his condition.

Personally I found it easier for him not to go. Public pools are very, very heavily chlorinated and it took a huge toll on his (and my as a fellow sufferers) skin.

We taught him to swim on holiday (villas with pools) where it's far more easy to control our skin condition in a less chlorinated pool and easy access to showers etc plus the benefits of sea (salt) bathing and sun with appropriate sun cream.

Honestly sea and sun are the best cure IME.

My DS missed out on swimming lessons for several years when his eczema was really bad. Then we got it under control after seeing a private consultant and she advised we could take him swimming but

• he needed emollient on before (and I always warned the swimming teacher he would be slippery!)

-showered thoroughly afterwards

• plenty of emollient reapplied

I actually helped with school swimming lessons and was able to help DS with all of this. It's a right old faff and I can't imagine teachers will have the time to help him. So on that basis I probably wouldn't send him and just take him by myself to lessons.

Thanks for your responses, all!
I'm feeling more encouraged to just withdraw DC from swimming for now.
Thanks again

As a teacher I would be very supportive of withdrawal. One child I taught would go home immediately after to be showered and creamed and returned 20 mins later.