癢感不是幻想，而是身體的警訊
你剛游完泳，感覺自己像剛完成一次奧運級的訓練——肌肉緊實、全身輕盈。但接著，那股爬滿手臂、胸口甚至腿部的癢感突然襲來。這不是比賽的興奮，而是真實到想抓破皮的刺痛。這樣的刺癢感，常見於泳池、湖泊或海洋游泳後，是許多耐力運動者共同的困擾，但其實背後有科學解釋，不該讓你放棄繼續游泳的勇氣。
泳池癢：氯激起的乾渴
氯是泳池清潔不可或缺的化學成分，但它也是皮膚的刺激源。正如皮膚科醫師 Jane Skinner 所說，氯會去除皮膚的天然油脂，破壞皮脂膜，導致乾燥、脫屑、甚至濕疹惡化。這不是過敏，而是一種化學性「刺激性接觸性皮膚炎」；症狀包括紅疹、小疱、泛紅與灼熱感。
改善方法：
- 游泳前後務必沖澡（冷水減少氯吸收、熱水清除殘留）
- 立即使用無香精、高濃度保濕乳液（神經醯胺、玻尿酸為主成分）
- 考慮游前塗抹泳用防護膏，但一定要事先測試是否安全無阻塞過濾系統
- 若皮膚反應強烈，不妨選擇低氯或鹽水池游泳
湖泊癢：錯身於水中微型寄生蟲
開放水域從外觀看來無害，但卻可能藏有微小寄生蟲（cercariae），它們通常寄生在鳥類或蝸牛體內，偶然「鑽錯道」侵入人體皮膚，就觸發過敏反應，形成紅疹、瘙癢、水泡現象——這就是所謂的「游泳者搔癢症」。若你是重複進出湖中者，免疫反應可能越來越強烈，癢感會更快、更猛烈。
改善建議：
- 游後立即用毛巾擦乾皮膚，減少寄生蟲在乾燥過程中鑽入
- 避免在岸邊鳥類聚集區、或有蝸牛的淺水區游泳
- 若不幸出現紅疹，可使用氫化可的松乳膏與口服抗組胺藥緩解症狀
海水癢：海中小敵人與物理刺激
海水自然、寬廣，但也藏有讓人癢的不友善元素，包括：
- sea lice（海水水母幼體，常潛於泳衣下形成紅疹）；
- 鹽分本身易使皮膚乾燥；
- 潛水衣摩擦或細沙摩擦也可能造成刺痛。
緩解方式：
- 游後盡快以清水沖洗全身
- 穿著緊身泳衣或防摩擦衣減少直接磨擦
- 若疑似 sea lice 或被水母刺傷，用醋水沖洗，不要用清水沖洗以免更多 nematocyst 釋放
何時該看皮膚科醫師？
若癢感持續惡化、皮膚有膿液、結痂或紅腫擴散，這時應立即諮詢皮膚科醫師。這可能不是單純刺激，而是濕疹、過敏性皮炎或細菌／真菌感染。若你在運動後幾天仍不能緩解，代表狀況可能屬於環境誘發型。而游泳後皮膚管理，是保持運動熱情與肌膚健康的重要保養功課。
Why Post-Swim Itch Isn’t Just in Your Head
You felt strong and refreshed after your swim—but moments later, the itch hits. This isn’t the adrenaline-fueled urge to race. It’s a full-body tingling that leaves you scratching. Whether you swam laps in a chlorinated pool, waded in a lake, or splashed in the ocean, swim-related itch is a real, science-supported reaction—not a reason to quit water.
Chlorine and Dry Skin: When Pool Hygiene Backfires
Chlorine keeps pools clean—but it can also strip your skin’s protective barrier. Dr. Jane Skinner explains that chloride removes natural oils, disrupting moisture retention and triggering irritant dermatitis, eczema flare-ups, and intense itching.
Prevention Tips: shower before and after swimming, moisturize promptly, and consider barrier creams that are pool-safe to keep skin calm.
Swimmer’s Itch in Lakes and Ponds: Parasites, Not Mystery
That itch in open water? It’s likely swimmer’s itch, caused by microscopic parasites known as cercariae. These critters burrow into exposed skin by mistake, triggering an allergic reaction—but they die quickly. The result: red bumps or blisters that may persist for 1–2 weeks.
Pro Tips: Dry off immediately, avoid snail- or bird-populated areas, use antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream if symptoms appear.
Ocean Itch: More than Just Saltwater
Ocean swimming brings unique triggers: sea lice (jellyfish larvae under your suit), salt’s drying effect, wetsuit chafing, or contact with sand or jellyfish.
How to Ease It: Rinse with fresh water post-swim, apply anti-chafe balm, treat suspected sea lice stings with vinegar, and wear a rash guard.
When to See a Dermatologist
If the rash worsens, spreads, oozes, or lasts beyond a few days, it may be more than irritation—it could be eczema, dermatitis, or infection. Persistent post-swim itch doesn’t have to mean quitting the pool—just adjust your skin care routine, stay savvy about water conditions, and consult a pro if needed.
