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

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.