Make a splash without getting sick!️
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| Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us, which means that many pools are about to open for the season. I know I’m looking forward to sitting in a giant floatie and reading for the better half of the holiday! If you’re like me and can’t wait to jump into the pool this weekend, let’s go over a few tips to help you enjoy the water without getting under the weather. |
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Cannonball,
Sarah Choi
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Sarah Choi
May 22, 2026 • 2 min read |
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| Tips for preventing illnesses and infections while swimming |
| Pools contain chlorine, but that doesn’t mean the pool is always 100% clean. Sweat, dirt, oil, and more from our bodies can diminish chlorine’s ability to disinfect the water. |
| In fact, a strong chlorine scent can indicate the pool water is dirty, not clean, as the odor comes from chlorine breaking down after reacting with bodily waste and other contaminants. |
| This is not to say that you should avoid the pool altogether. Here are a few ways you can keep yourself and others safe at the pool this season: |
| 💦 Don’t swallow the water: Even if you aren’t deliberately drinking it (don’t do that, either!), you’re still ingesting some of the water — and it’s more than you may think. |
| While it’s impossible to get that amount down to 0, doing your best to close your mouth and plug your nose when going underwater can help reduce the amount of pool water you ingest. Kids should also be reminded that pool water isn’t drinkable. |
| 🚿 Shower before and after: While it may seem counterintuitive to get wet before you go into the pool, showering for at least 60 seconds can remove many germs and other contaminants — like fecal particles — that you want to avoid introducing into the pool. Showering for at least 60 seconds when you get out can help remove those same contaminants on your skin from the pool. Bonus points for using soap once you get out (but you can do a full shower at home). |
| ❌ Avoid swimming with or after diarrhea: Fecal matter particles get into the water regardless of whether or not you have diarrhea. But if your diarrhea is caused by a parasite, it’s possible to continue shedding said parasites for up to 2 weeks after the loose stool has stopped. This means that germs like cryptosporidium can enter the water and live for up to 10 days in pools with adequate chlorine levels. |
| 🧻 Don’t pee in the water: Urinating in the pool can cause chloramines, which are chemical irritants that can form when urine mixes with chlorine. Chloramines can turn into gas, which is particularly dangerous in indoor pools due to reduced ventilation compared to the outdoors. Going to the bathroom before entering can help prevent accidents, and leaving the pool for scheduled bathroom breaks can be beneficial for young children. |
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| Over to you: What’s your go-to swim stroke? Email wellnesswire@healthline.com to let us know! |
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| Protect your skin |
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| Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 |
| There’s no bigger buzzkill than coming home from a pool day with a sunburn. That’s why it’s important to choose a sunscreen that’s both effective and pleasant to apply. This broad-spectrum sunscreen from Biore has a lightweight feel and doesn’t leave behind white streaks after application. As an added bonus, it hydrates your skin and doubles as a makeup primer. What’s not to love? |
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| Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline’s or Optum Now’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. |
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| Protect yourself on your next outdoor adventure |
| Have you ever been enjoying the outdoors and accidentally come into contact with poison ivy? Or maybe you’ve had extremely itchy bug bites after spending the night outside. Ivarest’s fast-acting, long-lasting oil removal and itch relief products can help keep you comfortable after these encounters. |
| The maximum-strength formulas can help relieve itching caused by poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and insect bites. It’s doctor-recommended and comes in several forms, including cream, spray, and pads — no prescription needed. Depending on your insurance plan, Ivarest’s products may even be FSA- or HSA-eligible! |
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| Until next time, |
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Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon! |
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Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline’s or Optum Now’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health.
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