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Health

08th Dec 2016

This is what really makes your eyes turn red in the swimming pool

Eww. Just eww.

Her

It’s safe to say you’ll be investing in a pretty good pair of goggles after reading this.

While we’ve always been fans of a good old fashioned splash in the pool, the newest piece of information has us wanting to scrub our eyes immediately.

You know the stinging red eyes that can plague you after dipping your head in pool water?

Unfortunately it’s not chlorine that’s irritating your eyes.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has started releasing news ahead of the summer to promote safer, cleaner pools… and the news is kind of disgusting.

According to the experts the red stinging in your eyes is actually a result of the chlorine binding with urine particles and irritating the eyes.

Explaining the horrifying truth, the CDC says:

“Chlorine binds with all the things it’s trying to kill from your bodies, and it forms these chemical irritants. That’s what’s stinging your eyes. It’s the chlorine binding to the urine and the sweat.”

Ever find yourself coughing when entering the swimming pool?

The same irritants can play havoc with your lungs.

So how can you help stop spreading bacteria and germs when going for a dip?

Well avoid dipping your toes in the water if you’re sick, or have open wounds (which means you’re also twice as likely to pick up some dirt or fungus from others in the water).

Oh and don’t pee in the pool. That’s just wrong.