Side effects of swimming in summer

Burning sensations when urinating and a constant urge to urinate are among the uncomfortable consequences. On the one hand, dangerous coliform bacteria are often found in public waters. This is an indication that there is contamination by faeces and that other pathogens may be present. On the other hand, hypothermia and poor blood circulation in the urinary bladder area can occur if people stay in cold water for too long. Germs from the intestines easily rise up and cause a painful bladder infection. This can be avoided by not spending too much time in cold water and by taking off wet clothes immediately after swimming.

Anyone who bathes in a lake, pond or river runs the risk of suffering from severe itching afterwards. The cause of this itching, known as bath dermatitis, is the so-called duck fleas (cercariae), which are found in all running water. If you bathe immediately after bathing, dry yourself thoroughly and change your bathing suit, you can prevent rashes caused by cercariae. However, reddish spots with a diameter of two millimeters appear in the places where the animals have penetrated the skin. Apart from the extreme itching, the inflammation is usually harmless and heals without any special treatment.

After a day of swimming, people often complain of a burning sensation in their eyes. The chlorine in public pool water causes these symptoms. However, in lakes, there are small particles of dirt on the surface of the water that can irritate the eyes. In both cases, wearing well-fitting swimming goggles serves as a preventative measure.

But having fun at the seaside also involves a certain risk. Although contact with jellyfish is often associated with a burning sensation that will soon disappear, some species can cause serious injuries. Deadly species of jellyfish, such as the box jellyfish, as well as contact with species common here, such as the glowing jellyfish, can cause skin lesions as well as shock reactions with threatening consequences. When contact with jellyfish, the poison is released from the nettle capsules. It is suitable to sprinkle sand on the affected area of ​​the body to dry the capsules. Then it is recommended to wash with water and vinegar and cool with cooling gel. If you have serious burns or circulatory problems, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

People with open wounds or abrasions should continue to avoid seawater. The reason for this is that the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, which multiplies in salt water at temperatures above 20 °C, enters people through broken skin and can cause a serious wound infection. Without medical treatment, the wound infection can spread and result in serious tissue destruction or blood poisoning.