How to Treat & Prevent Eye & Skin Irritation


It’s a common myth that “too much chlorine” is the primary cause of red eyes and itchy skin. While very high chlorine levels aren’t great, the actual culprit is usually a chemical byproduct or a simple pH imbalance.

THE REAL CULPRITS OF EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION

  1. Chloramines (Combined Chlorine)

When free chlorine reacts with contaminants (sweat, oils, urine, or nitrogen), it forms chloramines.

  • The Sign: That strong, pungent “pool smell” is actually the smell of chloramines, not “too much” chlorine.
  • The Effect: Chloramines are highly irritating to the mucous membranes in your eyes, causing them to burn and can cause “swimmer’s itch” on the skin.

  1. pH Imbalance
Eyes are burning from the pool?

Your eyes have a natural pH of approximately 7.5

  • Low pH (below 7.2): The water becomes acidic. This causes an immediate stinging sensation in the eyes and can strip natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and flaky.
  • High pH (above 7.8): The water becomes basic/alkaline. This makes the chlorine sluggish and ineffective; it also leads to “calcium scaling” which feels abrasive against the skin.

HOW TO TREAT EYE & SKIN IRRITATION

  1. Adjust pH: Use pH Increaser (PoolBrite Soda Ash) or pH Decreaser (Dry Acid) to bring the levels back to the right range of 7.2 -7.6.
  2. Shock the Pool: Use 200g Month Mate Granular Xtra Blue per 10,000L or 2 Bags Month Mate Shock Xtra Blue per 50,000L to destroy the chloramines.
  3. Use a Clarifier: This helps the filter remove the contaminants feeding the chloramines in the first place. Use 1 Brite-Blu Clarifier Tablet or 50ml Water Clarifier per 10 000L.  
  4. Run the Pump and Filter: Filter the water for a minimum of 8 hours after applying the products.

HOW TO PREVENT EYE & SKIN IRRITATION

  • Shower Before Swimming – Removes sweat, deodorants, and oils that create chloramines.
  • Maintain pH at 7.2 – 7.6 – Matches the human eye; ensures chlorine is active.
  • Maintain ideal chlorine levels (1-3ppm) – apply the Month Mate Super Plus Floater
  • Shock Weekly – Use 100g Month Mate Granular Xtra Blue per 10,000L or 1 bag Month Mate Shock Xtra Blue per 50,000L to destroy those irritating chloramines.
  • Encourage “Bathroom Breaks” – Nitrogen in urine is the #1 contributor to stinging chloramines.
  • Keep everything clean – Backwash and rinse the filter, clean the weir and pump baskets and brush the pool surface. This ensures the chlorine works effectively.