Invisible floating bug bites???

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RobertFolkes

0
Aug 14, 2017
9
Caromb, Vaucluse, France
So the season just started and I've spent several hours in the pool since it got to 30degC (90F) - lovely.

Then I noticed a rash on my chest, neck and the underside of my arms that itched like heck (and still itching 3 days later!). Several other people (including my wife) have used the pool and nobody else has the same reaction. Something has bitten me many many times, always at about the level where the water surface would be. I don't understand what it is, certainly not backswimmers. No signs of thrip on surrounding vegetation. The rash looks like classic chiggers, but do these float? I am wondering if there is a mite similar to chiggers that floats on the surface of the pool.

The saltwater pool is presently perfectly clear and good, no visible floating insects. Free Cl was at about 2ppm when I got bitten, I've now increased this to about 4ppm. I will shock the pool at 30ppm in a couple of days when our guests leave.

Does anyone have an idea what might be attacking me and if there is anything else I can do about it?
 
Hey Robert !! I’m not sayin it can’t be some sort of bugs, but what you have sounds like a bacteria rash. I forget the name but it looks like you got acupuncture with a bunch of small dots, and then the Red skin from being inflamed/itching. My kids got it everytime they went to the water park and it took antibiotic cream from the Dr to clear.

Also suspect is the location like it’s a boogie board rash from a cheap one, or pool noodle.
 
RobertFolkes said:
The saltwater pool is presently perfectly clear and good, no visible floating insects. Free Cl was at about 2ppm when I got bitten, I've now increased this to about 4ppm. I will shock the pool at 30ppm in a couple of days when our guests leave.
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That does not sound like you follow TFPC. That is fine, but you might benefit from using Recommended Levels. 'Shock' is unnecessary. If you have a water chemistry issue, you follow SLAM Process. A 30 ppm FC level would equate to a 70 ppm CYA, and then 2 ppm FC is well below minimum.
 
What are you using to test the water? I see you are located in France, and the available test kits may be different from what we have available here. Knowing how you test your pool and posting a current set of test results will help us troubleshoot your problem.
 
zea3 said:
What are you using to test the water? I see you are located in France, and the available test kits may be different from what we have available here. Knowing how you test your pool and posting a current set of test results will help us troubleshoot your problem.
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Fair comment, I've modified my signature accordingly.

I use a Taylor test kit (about 5x the price here in France, but I have friends stateside) I double-check this with my laboratory pH meter etc (I also make wine). So pH 7.4. My Intex SWCG/ozone generator is undersized and can only manage about 1ppm but the water always stays clear mainly due to the ozone generator I suspect. I use dichlor to do my first shock of the season, this drops my pH to roughly where I want it and brings CYA up to 30-40ppm. After that I add bleach to raise free cl to 3.0 if/when the swimmer load is high. HCl if I need to drop pH. If I go away I drop trichlor in the skimmers, maybe for a week or two, that way I finish the season with CYA sub 70.

Now it gets difficult, we live near Mount Ventoux a huge pile of limestone much beloved by cyclists. I have a well, a bore hole (a deeper water table), mains water but these are all way over the guidance for alkalinity. (A well know brand of bottled water pumps up their product from just down the road). There is no possibility of getting low pH water 'trucked in' So TA 250, Hardness 240 nothing I can do about that. The local pool shop sells a sulphate based product to lower Hardness, but my experiences were unhappy - having refilled the pool I now avoid addition of calcium or sulphur based products.
 
mknauss said:
That does not sound like you follow TFPC. That is fine, but you might benefit from using Recommended Levels. 'Shock' is unnecessary. If you have a water chemistry issue, you follow SLAM Process. A 30 ppm FC level would equate to a 70 ppm CYA, and then 2 ppm FC is well below minimum.
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Hi Thanks for your comments

I can't really follow TFPC since there is no way I can get low-pH water in this part of France. My CYA is presently 35 (I only use dichlor for the initial shock, then always use bleach). The SWC/Ozone generator seems to keep the pool clean and algae under control, but doesn't maintain FC where I would like it (about 3ppm) so I add extra bleach whenever the swimmer load is high or the pool us uncovered for most of the day.
I don't see how my skin problem can be the water chemistry since I have no problems with the submerged bits - that's why I assumed insects it certainly looks like chiggers - but I guess it could be something biological or an allergic rash. I do add something to repel insects that I think sits on the surface maybe I have an allergic rash to that.
 
Newdude said:
Hey Robert !! I’m not sayin it can’t be some sort of bugs, but what you have sounds like a bacteria rash. I forget the name but it looks like you got acupuncture with a bunch of small dots, and then the Red skin from being inflamed/itching. My kids got it everytime they went to the water park and it took antibiotic cream from the Dr to clear.

Also suspect is the location like it’s a boogie board rash from a cheap one, or pool noodle.
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Hi, Thanks for your advice. That sounds interesting idea, it was a really fiery itch that made me think it had to be some sort of insect sting. I've not been using a boogie board or anything like that but I did add an insect repellent which (I think) sits of the surface so maybe it was an allergic reaction to something in that - I have a high allergy profile.

It had been quite a long time since I shocked the pool (now done) so we'll see if the problem returns immediately which would suggest a chemical allergy, if it returns at a later point as the FC drops that would suggest bacteria or insects.
 
I think the most likely culprit is Swimmer’s itch. Do you have water loving birds that come by your pool? Ducks, geese? Swimmer’s itch is caused by a bacteria in the feces of some birds like those mentioned. Sometimes other types of wildlife. The Bacteria thrive in warm water, especially in stagnant areas. The bacteria can’t survive on humans but it is annoying. You need to bleach and disinfect your pool. Don’t shave right before getting into pool. Shaving opens microscopic cuts in your shin making it easier for infidels to invade.
 

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RobertFolkes said:
The swimmers itch/bacteria theories sound quite probable since the pool does attract a few birds
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Even more reasons than normal to religiously follow the FC/CYA Levels. Never approach minimum FC for your CYA. I would run a tad hot for a while. Drift back into ‘target range’ after losing your 3(?) daily FC.

Anywho good luck and keep us posted as always.
 
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