Itchy Skin while swimming

[Dabrodas]

Hi there!

would any experts be able to review my pool math and advise why folks would be complaining about itchy skin in my pool? I thought everything looked perfect? Maybe a tad bit too high Chlorine?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Do you have a recent CC or CYA test?

 

[mknauss]

pH or CC is the usual culprit for irritation. Try dropping your pH to 7.4 before folks swim.

You last tested CYA on June 2 at 70 ppm. Might be wise to test that.

 

[Dabrodas]

pH or CC is the usual culprit for irritation. Try dropping your pH to 7.4 before folks swim.

You last tested CYA on June 2 at 70 ppm. Might be wise to test that.

Thanks. Will do. I thought since it doesn’t evaporate, it really shouldn’t change much over a month.

 

[mknauss]

Test it. You live in Florida, It rains, you get overflow, you also have high UV at times. High UV breaks down CYA.

CYA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Dabrodas]

Test it. You live in Florida, It rains, you get overflow, you also have high UV at times. High UV breaks down CYA.

CYA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks. Just tested and got

CYA: 50
FC: 9
PH: 7.8
CC: 0

So we think it is a PH thing? I’ve been putting in acid about every other week. But maybe I’ll add more. Could it be the high chlorine level based on the 50 CYA?

 

[mknauss]

I doubt it is the FC level as it is below SLAM level.

Try lowering pH more often. That will lower your TA.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

Test it. You live in Florida, It rains, you get overflow, you also have high UV at times. High UV breaks down CYA.

CYA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

In Florida, my experience is the the "CYA never goes away" just isn't the case. Lots of sun, plus heat and rains that require draining occasionally have all led to a surprising drop in CYA from spring to high summer, for me. When in doubt, test it.

 

[Dabrodas]

In Florida, my experience is the the "CYA never goes away" just isn't the case. Lots of sun, plus heat and rains that require draining occasionally have all led to a surprising drop in CYA from spring to high summer, for me. When in doubt, test it.

Yes I did. Thanks. Added more today too. Still not sure what is causing itchy skin though

 

[Sunnydaze]

Yes I did. Thanks. Added more today too. Still not sure what is causing itchy skin though

About a month ago, i noticed my skin was itchy after i got out of the pool. This hadn't happened before so i tested my ph and it was 8+. I brought it down to ~7.5 and the itchy skin problem went away.

I usually watch my ph closely but it got away from me that time.

 

[Dabrodas]

About a month ago, i noticed my skin was itchy after i got out of the pool. This hadn't happened before so i tested my ph and it was 8+. I brought it down to ~7.5 and the itchy skin problem went away.

I usually watch my ph closely but it got away from me that time.

Thanks. That’s what I’m hoping and added acid. Cheers!

 

[Dabrodas]

Pool felt much better today guys. Thanks! However, I now noticed my Calcium Hardness is creeping down. Have yet to add Calcium Chloride.

Cheapest places to buy? Pretty common to need to add to a plaster pool?

I’m assuming all the rain recently is affecting the levels

 

[Roto31]

In Florida, my experience is the the "CYA never goes away" just isn't the case. Lots of sun, plus heat and rains that require draining occasionally have all led to a surprising drop in CYA from spring to high summer, for me. When in doubt, test it.

Mine has held high all summer and I am in Central, FL. I'd like to drop it without taking water out of the pool though. The last test and it was 120.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

Mine has held high all summer and I am in Central, FL. I'd like to drop it without taking water out of the pool though. The last test and it was 120.

It looks like you've joined TFP recently. Welcome! Were you using pucks to chlorinate before? That would have continuously added CYA and helped get (and keep) your pool at high levels. The good news is that Cya does slowly decline under Florida summertime conditions, if it's not being replenished.

 

[Selenap]

The tpf method is great for pool water but plays havoc to my skin. My ph is normal or slightly low any given day . I have a fair amount of sensitivity to chlorine though. It makes my skin sting terribly. I have to lather up in oils or lotions to use my pool comfortably and that’s just the way it’s got to be for me. I can’t use bleach without gloves or I rash out.

 

[Roto31]

It looks like you've joined TFP recently. Welcome! Were you using pucks to chlorinate before? That would have continuously added CYA and helped get (and keep) your pool at high levels. The good news is that Cya does slowly decline under Florida summertime conditions, if it's not being replenished.

I think I may have to switch to liquid Chlorine and try to find something that does not have CYA in it. I was using the large tablets where I could find them this year to keep something in it for sanitizing.

 

[Dabrodas]

Nothing quite like hitting that 0 CSI perfectly! Will have to see if any one gets itchy now with perfect numbers