Swimmer problems.

We all have them. Many related to the chemicals we are subjected to daily, sometimes twice daily. Green hair, split ends, dry, itchy skin, and the smell.

When I was in first grade two boys called me "witch" because of my green tinted hair. It stuck and when we all graduated from high school one of the boys reminded me by saying, "Hey remember when I called you witch?" Good times.

Chlorine can be pretty harsh. There are mild to severe reactions to it. My skin for example drinks lotion. Sucks it down and asks for more. I apologize when I go in for a massage, forewarning they will use at least twice the amount of lotion they normally would. Lotion is a must have. No getting around it. Stick it in your bag, put a spare in your car, your locker, in your bathroom you will use it and you should. Dry skin makes for wrinkles and we all know how popular those are. Invest in a quality lotion too, I truly recommend getting a specialty one for your neck and face.

Swimmer problem: "Boy this lotion sure smells good in the bottle, let's try it out... do de do de do...hmm all I smell is chlorine." Ditto that for cologne and perfume. Scents are not your friend, go unscented. The lotion will always flush out the smell of chlorine from your pores, attempting to cover it up with a scent is futile.

Just like investing in a lotion, invest in shampoo and conditioner. The .99 cent special is probably not going to make a huge difference. My personal favorite is Malibu C. My mom bought my first bottle shortly after I complained about being called a witch. Super citrusy and fresh, this product does actually help remove chlorine and copper.

Swimmer Bonus: Hey I don't need to bleach my hair! Chlorine, plus sun, equals free bleached hair. Extra super bonus: super soft, fluffy hair for guys that swim without caps and skip shampoos. Yay?

Swimmer Problem: Sunburn.

Sunscreen is a must. But it is very hard to find a quality sunscreen that stands up to the rigors of extended pool time. One solution for your face especially is zinc oxide. More commonly known as diaper cream. You can purchase zinc oxide in fun colors to match your team (pricier) or just go for the baby aisle and snag a cheapo plain white tube. When I swam in Arizona I had a tube in my locker and in my travel meet bag.

I've personally found the best sunscreen at bike shops. They carry triathlon specialty 'screens that are meant to be brutalized through a swim, bike and run. They are typically more expensive so again I bring up the wrinkles. You don't want them. Plus repeated burns and exposure can lead to skin cancer. Protect your skin.

Sadly some people have more severe reactions to chlorine. A chlorine allergy can affect your skin or breathing. Consult a physician. Oftentimes an inhaler can help with chlorine related breathing issues by keeping your airway from constricting. Swimming outdoors can also help. Those suffering from a severe skin reaction will need to seek medical advice to discover what options they may have. Severe chlorine allergies while uncommon do exist.