Hi rem
I dont spend lots of time in the pool because i get quite itchy afterwards, Its no good for my skin but dont know about others, ohh and it drys mine out as well

Hey, remfan, I had wicked bad hand excema for ten years until I found Evening Primrose Oil. I took the highest dose daily for a couple of weeks, and symptoms reduced almost right away. By the end of three months, the excema was gone, and by the end of a year the scarring was gone. I gradually reduced the dose and currently don't take any. It hasn't returned for over 15 years now. Before you forego the exercise that helps your fibromyalgia, you might want to try it.

It drys mine out so if I keep lotion on it afterward it actually helps me.

yes, the chlorine in the pool will irritate the skin, but you can minimize the problem by covering your hands in soothing fatty cream before and after.
Don't stop though.

Yeah dries mine out, makes it worse with or without the cream. hurts if i have open sores. Makes me more itchy. though saying this my mum knows someone who ha bad skin something and it helps hers... so... depends.

Ya like most everyone here said, it does dry the skin. Lotioning your skin within 2 to 3 minutes after toweling off will help. But steer clear of hot tubs. Hot water worsens eczema, and the chlorine in a hot tub will double it. Remember lotioning after bathing and washing hands too! Hope this helped a wee bit.

My son said Yes the chlorine is bad for it. So just make sure you shower right afterwards. Hot or warm water helps the eczema to heal but it also may cause an unusual itching sensation. Also after showering its best to apply hydro cortisone. Its best to apply it while the skin is still moist. If that doesn't help maybe try wearing gloves. Hope this helps out. My son, Bruce decided he wanted to write this which is cool. I'm here for ya if you need me. HUGS Ashley-Rose

** Probiotics**
****PROBIOTICS ****
Ezema is your body's inability to retain moisture in the skin. It leads to dry patches on your skin that itch. It usually gets worse in the heat.. so a hot shower, sweating (internal heat) make it worse.

If you are diagnosed with this 9 to 10 the doctor will just say to use lotion and maybe take Vitamin D which are both good to do. However, if you have eczema then you may want to read the below articles and take PRObiotics. Unlike lotions that treat the symptom Probiotics treat one of the root causes, lack of nutrients because your body is not breaking down/absorbing vitamins in your food. Probiotics help break down and absorb your food better so you get more nutrients going to all your organs... your skin being the largest and needing more nutrients stays healthier. It cleared up 80% of my son's eczema within a week!!!
It has been over a month now and it is about 90% cleared up!
Note I did not get this info from a doctor I just had to do all the research on my own.
Friend of mine is training for a triathalon and the swmimming is causing the same issue in her hands and she is going to try GNC: Digestive Health Powder 1/4 scoop a day (has probiotics and digestive enzymes).

HOPE this helps
PS Let me know if it worked for you

If you would like to read one of the research articles on this topic go to: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2003_May/ai_100767858
Skin health, eczema, and preventative strategies: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
May, 2003 by Chris D. Meletis, Jason Barker

http://www.eczemamembers.com/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=745&pubmenuoptID=7016
Bacteria and Eczema: Eczema is an Immune System Disorder (atopy), and 75% of your Immune System is found in your Gastrointestinal Tract where 3 to 4 pounds of bacteria reside.
NOTICE FOR INFANTS

I have found that the chemicals in the pool really hurt my eczema. I have changed my pool to a salt water treatment instead of chlorine and it actually helps. When I have a flare up I swim in it and I have some relief.

Fibromyalgia..
You might want to research LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone 3.0mg).

Below 2 studys show that RA is an autoimmune disease that occurs because of " take more research to tell for sure, but it was possible that patients' immune systems were overactive early on. "There was a phase when the immune system was very active and reached a state of exhaustion," she said.

This could mean that current rheumatoid arthritis drugs that target the immune system may be missing the boat."
Basically, auto immune disease may be due to aged (weakened) immune systems NOT overactive immune system.

So an immune enhancing drug such as LDN may help. Partially backed up by Crohn's disease study at Penn State Univ where 87% improvement & 67% had no flare ups during study!
You may want to research this


http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2004/ra_marker.asp

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/aging/08/02/arthritis.study].reut/index.html

I'd say chlorine is on a par with sulphuric acid for eczema folk, but as it's only your hands I'd check what you have on your hands before getting in the pool - maybe your current hand lotion is reacting or something?? My advise would be shower before getting in the pool and moisturise all over like it's going out of fashion! If you can use vaseline or a very very very thick emollient I'd put that on your hands particularly, as a barrier. This may offer some protection. I would also check out if there are any pools in your area that use less chlorine - some use ozone instead - you may get lucky and they have the class you are looking for and the whole experience will be much gentler on your skin.