As the hot days of summer linger on, we are all looking for ways to stay cool. Diving into the water seems like a great place to start. But, swimming with IC/BPS is something many patients are hesitant about. However, being in water has many benefits, including that the buoyancy of water can support the bladder and actually ease pressure.(1) Not all swimming conditions are created equal, though. A few strategies can help make swimming with IC a better experience.
Challenges of Swimming with Interstitial Cystitis
Managing an uncomfortable bladder is a challenge in and of itself. Many patients are hesitant to try swimming in fear of causing a flare. And many of us have bad experiences we can share. For example, I decided to swim in a hotel pool on our last day of a vacation in case it bothered my bladder. Doing so was the right choice, because it certainly did irritate my bladder! Since then I’ve learned more strategies for making swimming with IC easier.
The Risk of Pool Chemicals
Beyond irritating skin or causing flares, pool chemicals can have a major impact on our bodies. Being careful with them makes sense. ICN founder and president, Jill Osborne, understands this risk firsthand. She was first diagnosed with chemical induced cystitis — soon to become interstitial cystitis — after swimming in a pool that had just been treated with chemicals.(2) And she isn’t alone. Other patients have reported similar experiences.
This doesn’t mean you must avoid all chlorinated or chemically-treated pools. It does mean, though, that you need to be aware of the risks and how to mitigate them.
The Risk of Natural Bodies of Water
If pool chemicals are so irritating, then it seems logical to just avoid pools and head for the lake or ocean. But, lakes and oceans aren’t without risks either. Along with the naturally occurring risks of swimming where there are animals, riptides and such, bodies of water are home to many germs and organisms. Bacteria, viruses, plant matter and parasites can all make you sick ranging from an upset stomach to skin rashes and more.(3)
Again, this doesn’t mean you need to cancel swimming plans to a lake or ocean. You just need to know the risks and how to best manage them.
Strategies for Swimming in Pools with IC
IC can make us miss out on numerous things, but swimming in a pool doesn’t have to be one of them. Always proceed with caution and check with your doctor for even more input, but these tips for swimming in pools with IC should let you cool off in water without making your bladder angry.
Assess the Water
You don’t have to be a pool specialist to identify risks or issues with a pool. Using your sense of sight and smell can give you great clues about the safety of the pool you’re headed to. First, make sure the water is clear. If the water is cloudy or has a green tint to it, then it may not be properly cared for. Also keep an eye out for any debris sitting at the bottom of the pool and any algae growing on the sides. These are also indicators the pool may not be well maintained.(2)
Take in a deep breath and notice whether there is a strong chlorine odor. Obviously if a pool has a strong chlorine smell, then it is being treated. However, it may have a very high amount of chlorine which is much more likely to irritate your skin and bladder. Often this can be the case in large, public pools. Don’t be embarrassed to ask when the pool was last treated — whether you’re at a neighbor’s house or a public swimming pool. If it was treated in the past 24 hours, be sure to ask about whether a “shock treatment” was done. These usually require 24 hours before they are safe to swim in. Go ahead and ask the proper waiting period after a treatment before the water is safe and even who treats the pool to make sure the person is qualified.(3)
Another way to assess the water is by checking it yourself with a chlorine and pH test strips. Each summer, the Water Quality and Health Council gives out a certain number of these strips for free. These strips will tell you whether the chemical levels are safe.(4)
If the pool passes all your tests, then proceed with caution using some of the following strategies. If it doesn’t, then opt to sit this one out.
Go for a Non-Chlorine Pool
One great option to avoid the irritation often caused by chlorine is to seek out a pool that isn’t chlorinated. Saltwater pools are becoming more and more popular. By using pool grade salt and a few other chemicals (minus the chlorine), these pools can stay sanitized without all the chlorine.(5) They are often less irritating than their chlorinated counterparts.
Don’t Swallow the Water
Do your best to avoid swallowing any pool water. Not only is it unhealthy and can increase your risk for bacteria or other issues, it can also irritate your bladder. Chlorinated water would definitely be in the “Foods to Avoid” category of the IC Food List!
Rinse Your Skin Before AND After
You’ve probably heard that you need to rinse your skin and scrub thoroughly to remove chlorine right after swimming.(6) But, it’s also important to rinse before you get into the water as well. Not only is it better for keeping the pool clean (and reducing the number of chemicals needed to keep it that way), it also keeps your skin from absorbing as much chlorine. Dry skin quickly absorbs water, so you want it to absorb clean water most rather than chlorinated water.(7)
Remove Your Wet Suit
Be sure to also change out of your wet swimsuit right away. A wet swimsuit can contribute to a UTI or at the very least a flare. If you have to delay on rinsing off or showering (for example if you’re at a public pool and need to drive home), then at least change into dry clothes right away and shower as soon as possible.
Try a Skin Barrier
Applying Vaseline or KY jelly to your urethral and vulvar area can provide a barrier between your skin and pool chemicals. This reduces the risk of irritating the sensitive skin in that area and causing a flare. It does not reduce the risk of UTI from sitting around in a wet swimsuit, though.
Use the Restroom
Immediately after leaving the pool, use the restroom to empty your bladder. This also helps flush out any bacteria that might be hanging around.
Guidelines for Swimming in Natural Bodies of Water with IC
Many of the strategies for swimming in a pool apply for swimming in natural bodies of water like not staying in a wet swimsuit, rinsing off before and after swimming, creating a skin barrier and using the restroom immediately. There are a few other considerations, though, that are unique to natural bodies of water.
Assess the Water
Just like in a pool, you want to assess the water before you go for a swim. Start by looking at the color of the water and what is around. If the water is brown or murky, avoid it. Also pay attention to whether storm runoff or industrial waste is emptying into the water.(2) Water that is in pipes can pick up animal or human feces and bring germs into the area, especially if there has recently been a lot of rain or a drought. Avoid swimming in areas with pipes draining into the water.(8)
You also want to smell the water. If it smells bad, then that could mean there is harmful algae bloom in the water, and it should be avoided.(8)
Follow Water Advisories
Stay out of the water if signs are posted that the swim area is closed.(8) Err always on the side of caution that the swim area is closed for water safety issues and avoid it. If you are traveling, check with state and/or county health departments before you leave to see if any water advisories are in place.(2)
Be Careful with Wounds
Open wounds can be particularly dangerous when swimming in natural bodies of water. Germs from the water can get into the cut or wound and cause serious infections. If you do swim while you have a healing cut or wound, completely cover the wound with a waterproof bandage.(8)
Wash Your Hands Before Eating
When you take a swim break for a snack, be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or clean with hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol before touching food. You don’t want to ingest any bacteria or other germs that might still be on your skin from the water or sand.(8)
Other Water Activity Ideas with IC
Though swimming pools and natural bodies of water tend to be our first thought for water activities, other options can cool you down and offer less risk to your bladder as well. Add some of these ideas into the mix!
Get an Inflatable Pool
Besides permanent pools or large pools that require chemicals, inflatable pools are a great option. You just fill them when you want to use them and then deflate them until the next time. They aren’t as large or deep, but they cool you down and use the water out of your faucet without any chemicals. Splash pad and sprinkler mats don’t have to be just for kids; some are as large as 7.5 feet across! Or you can opt for a slightly more expensive (though still under $100) inflatable pool that is deeper than the splash pad and sprinkler mats.
Turn on the Sprinkler
You can pull out your lawn sprinkler or buy one specifically for play. A water sprinkler doesn’t have to be just for kids! Set in a chair near the sprinkler or go for a stroll through the water.
Play Water Games
If you have kiddos at home or others willing to join in the fun, consider some water games as a swimming alternative. For instance, this Twister Splash game is a combination between the classic Twister game and a sprinkler. Or stay completely classic with water guns or water balloons.
Soak Your Feet
And a final alternative to swimming is to opt for only getting your feet wet. I’ve sat on the sidelines of hotel pools quite a few times with my feet dangling in the water while my husband and kiddos swam. They get to have fun, I get to feel like part of the fun and I avoid the risk of a flare. Plus the water on my legs does cool me down. You can do the same in a natural body of water if you’re swimming from a beach by just walking into water no deeper than your knees.
Get Ready to Swim!
Though swimming with IC has challenges, it also has solutions. Not only is swimming a great way to cool off on hot days, it is also a low impact exercise and can be a great source of social interaction for us. Use these strategies for swimming with IC to enjoy being in the water. Don’t let IC hold you back!
References:
- Evans RJ. 7 Ways to Help Control Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms. Urology Care Foundation. Nov. 28, 2016.
- Osborne J. Swimming and Interstitial Cystitis — Is it safe?. IC Network. June 4, 2014.
- NIH News in Health. Staying Safe in the Water. June 2022.
- Osborne J. Swimming Safety — You might want to avoid hotel swimming pools and hot tubs. IC Network. May 22, 2018.
- Borchert M. Saltwater v. Chlorine Pool: Which is Better?. Family Handyman. June 5, 2023.
- Urquidi N. 3 Ways to Combat Chlorine Sensitivity. Swimming World. Nov. 13, 2022.
- Singh M. How to Protect your Skin From Bleach and Chlorine in the Swimming Pool. NDTV. June 2, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visiting Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers. June 20, 2023.
