Post-swim cures MDs swear by
All that splashing, diving and doggy-paddling can lead to rashes, itchiness and other minor symptoms. To the rescue: the natural remedies doctors turn to when their own kids are suffering
To soothe red, itchy eyes Tea this way
“Both of my kids are swimmers who have gotten red, irritated eyes from being exposed to pool chemicals,” says K. David Epley, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist in Kirkland, Washington, and a father of two. “To ease their discomfort, I’ve turned to tea.” The kids don’t drink it, however. Instead, they put tea bags on their closed eyes. Dr. Epley dunks storebought black tea bags in cold water, letting them soak for 10 to 15 seconds. “I remove the bags, squeeze out the excess liquid so the tea bags are mostly dry and place them on my children’s eyes,” he says. After about 3 minutes, most of the itch and irritation is gone. “It’s thought that the tannins in black tea act as an anti-inflammatory, possibly aided by the tea’s flavonoids,” says Dr. Epley. “And the cold constricts blood vessels, which reduces redness and irritation.”
To nix swimsuit irritation Epsom salt
“Private areas are very sensitive, and wearing a damp bathing suit too long can cause irritation. Believe me, my kids know!” says mother-of-two Tanya Altmann, M.D., author of What to Feed Your Baby. “It’s a good thing Epsom salt baths work wonders.” She adds 1 cup of Epsom salt to lukewarm bathwater and has her kids soak for 15 to 20 minutes. “I make sure the water is free of bubble bath and soap, which can exacerbate irritated skin,” she says. “After a few nights, their skin is healed.” How it works: Magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt helps prevent infections and soothes inflammation.
To calm pool itch Coconut oil
“A week into vacation, my son developed itchy patches on his cheeks and arms. All the chlorine dried out his skin, causing irritant dermatitis,” says mother-of-two Cynthia Bailey, M.D., president and CEO of Advanced Skin Care and Dermatology in Sebastopol, California. So at the end of each day, she had him rinse off with cool water and glycerin soap. (Glycerin is a humectant that helps skin retain moisture.) Next, she slathered him with organic coconut oil to lock in moisture. “Hotel lotions are too lightweight with too much water. Plus, they’re loaded with fragrance, which isn’t good for us: We’re allergic, sensitive-skin folks,” says Dr. Bailey, adding that if you catch this rash early, relief is speedy.