How to Stay Healthy at the Swimming Pool

If you had the opportunity to get out of town this summer, you're probably either back in your hometown or on a tropical beach somewhere sipping a mojito. If you're staying in Beijing, chances are you're hitting up the city's diverse offerings of outdoor swimming pools to make up for being here while everyone else is off having fun. We've even seen a few artificial beaches cropping up around the city so you don't have to feel like you're missing out. By all means, hit the pool (or the "beach") and dive in! Just follow our tips and stay disease-free while you're at it. 

Did you know that diseases picked up at the swimming pool are so common that there's a nickname for them? They're called RWIs in the medical community, which stands for recreational water illnesses. To ensure you get only good vibes and refreshing coolness from the water instead of germs and bacteria, we’ve laid out some simple steps you can take to avoid these common swimming pool afflictions. 

1. Shower before and after swimming

This is one of the best things you can do to avoid RWIs. In order to keep the pool as clean as possible, remove as much bacteria as you can from yourself with a good shower before getting in. Shed any germs you may have picked up in the pool by showering as soon as possible after you’re done swimming. Showering after your swim with soap and shampoo also helps wash the harsh chemicals used to disinfect the pool off of your skin and hair. To be extra safe, remove your bathing suit for your post-swim shower. 

2. Don’t swallow the water 

We know it can be hard to keep from laughing at your own jokes as you splash around, but do try to avoid keeping your mouth wide open in the pool. Pool water contains not only bacteria, but also plenty of strong bacteria-killing chemicals that are best left outside your mouth lest they wreak havoc in your airways and stomach. 

3. Don’t swim if you’ve recently had gastroenteritis or diarrhea

These stomach bugs are very easily spread, and you can pass on your recent bout to others, even if you shower as thoroughly as you think possible. Spare your fellow citizens the pain and wait two weeks after recovering before you hit the pool. 

4. Wear swimming goggles

Eye infections are relatively easy to pick up at swimming pools. To keep any bacteria as far as possible from your eyes, wear swimming goggles in the water and make sure your face is dry before taking them off. If you think you picked up an eye infection at the pool, go see your doctor. 

5. Mind your ears

You may have heard of swimmer's ear (or otitis externa), a painful infection of the outer ear. It's caused by having bacteria-laden water sitting in the ear canal for too long. It's not to be confused with a middle ear infection, which often affects children. If your ear is sore after a swim and hurts more when you tug on your earlobes, chances are you've got a case of swimmer's ear. To prevent it, keep your ears dry as you swim using a swimming cap or earplugs, or dry out your ears well after swimming using your towel and by shaking the water out of your ears. If you think you have yourself a case of swimmer's ear, go see your doctor. 

6. Stay sun safe

If you plan on being out all day, make sure you apply a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen on all parts of your skin that will be exposed. Reapply every two hours or each time you come out of the pool. If your skin is extra sensitive to sunburns, you can also cover up with high-UPF swimming clothing like rash guards and by staying in the shade and wearing a broad-brimmed hat. 

• Want to learn more about good ear health? Our ENT specialists dig deeper here. 

• Not a big swimmer? Get into a different outdoor sport this summer!