Even if you’re no longer using your private pool, it’s likely that during the rest of the year you’ll go to an indoor pool to continue doing sport or simply enjoy the water. And it’s even more common in children, who are becoming more eager in swimming pools, and go swimming as an out-of-school activity.
Although we take care of our hygiene in our own pool, at public swimming pools we must be extremely careful, not only about our own health, but that of other bathers too.
To begin with, at most indoor pools you must use a bathing cap, and shower before entering the water. Chloramines cause bad smells in pools, and they occur when organic waste comes into contact with chlorine. So eliminating as much of the residues as possible before entering the water will prevent the production of chloramines.
Bacteria and germs are also found on the floor surrounding the pool. That's why it is best to wear rubber sandals in the pool area, showers and changing rooms. When you shower after leaving the pool, remember to dry your feet and the part between your toes, which is the most likely to accumulate moisture and develop fungi.
Ear infections are swimmers’ great fear. Children are even more susceptible to them. To prevent them, it’s best to use earplugs and then thoroughly wipe the external auditory canal (don’t use cotton sticks, because they can damage the eardrum, it’s preferable to do this with a towel).
And don’t forget your eyes! They need protection too. Always wear goggles when swimming and get the children to do the same. You’ll prevent eye irritations and diseases such as conjunctivitis or annoying itching and burning.
Finally, if you’re unwell or have an open wound, avoid going to the pool, since you could infect other bathers or cause your wound to become infected.
