Swimming pool chemical bromine-anyone allergic to this and know of any remedies?

[orangesky]

DS aged five breaks out in a rash on the back of knees, folds of arms and trunk which lasts for a couple of days and is very itchy.

He has never had this problem in any other pool so he is obviously not allergic to chlorine.

Apparantely, bromine is a milder form of chlorine but is usually used in hot-tubs but is being used in the pool that he has lessons in.

I've tried derma-shield, a cream that guarantees to prevent chlorine affecting the skin but it doesn't work with this particular bromine rash.

It's making DS miserable and he doesn't want to go swimming (can't blame him) but he loves the teacher and I want him to continue.

Has anyone got any experience of this and any cures/suggestions?

Many thanks!

Poor little thing. I haven't got a cure but ask your chemist about Doublebase cream, my daughter goes through phases of bad eczema and scratches herself to bits. This time of year it is really bad as suncream just irritate the already broken skin,

The Doublebase cream does the trick for her although she wont agree. Tonight I have only put it on her right arm just to prove to her in the morning that it works, I put money on her right arm being much softer and less sore than her left. The cream also doesn't sting unlike some others.

It might work for you, worth asking about, don't think it is that cheap from what I remember. We got a pump dispenser on prescription but stupidly didn't take it on holiday with us so had to buy a tube (toothpaste size cost about £5 I recall - still worth it).

Good luck, let me know if it works

Worz

Thank you! I will get some tomorrow. I've put some benadryl allergy cream on tonight as I could see the rash was already starting to develop.

The trouble is, he scratches in his sleep and if I try and put this on again in the morning, it stings and he screams his head off! Anything that doesn't sting will be great!

I have just checked on my little one and I notice she is scratching too - bless. I did cut her finger nails last night - scratch mitts would be great but I guess not at age 5!

Do check with your chemist that is will be ok for your child, I think it is an 'over the counter medicine' so you will have to ask for it - you might get asked questions anyway, you know what they are like.

Good luck, hope it works

Doublebase is pretty neutral, can't see it being a problem on even the most sensitive skin. I used to use tons of it on an elderly friend who had an amputation, it was ok even if the skin was slightly broken.
Could you apply a different barrier cream like channel swimmers do? Sorry, don't mean to appear flippant, but you get the idea I hope

Update-just to let you know, the doublebase made him scream too.

I'm going to change swimming pools. I wish I could find something like a barrier cream that would work.