Watch out for hygiene when playing in water: Six hidden illnesses lurking in water

Edited by Mom’s Journal Y.T

On hot summer days, swimming is undoubtedly the go-to family activity for parents and kids alike. Swimming has long been praised as an exercise that trains all the muscles in the body comprehensively. Recently, it has also sparked a wave of “baby swimming” among moms, who often take their little ones into the water.

Whether it can actually help children develop their brains more fully is secondary—just the refreshing feeling of being in the water is enough to make everyone fall in love. But public pools and beaches are bustling with people, and the damp environment combined with the hot weather hides many safety hazards. To ensure your family cools off happily and swims safely, here are a few things to pay attention to: Up your game for safety.

There’s a claim online that baby swimming promotes brain and nerve development, stimulates infants' potential, and lays the foundation for EQ and IQ—making it a trend among parents. However, Dr. Pan Junchen says that the main benefit of baby swimming is training limb movement, because the buoyancy and reduced gravity in water allow for better movement of the baby's limbs. As for whether it can truly enhance a baby’s EQ and IQ, Dr. Pan points out that there is currently no research confirming a correlation, so parents who choose not to have their babies swim shouldn’t worry too much.

As for how old a baby should be to start swimming, Dr. Pan Junchen says it depends on the parents’ goals. If it’s just to get the child moving, you can start at any age.But if you want to develop swimming skills, it’s recommended to wait until the child is over two years oldso they can remember the swimming techniques taught by the instructor.

The Taipei City Health Bureau notes that when parents take their children to the pool, they should check if there are health management personnel on-site and whether there are clear signs indicating water temperature, pH level, and residual chlorine levels. Before entering the pool, bring your child to take a shower first and wear proper swim gear. Avoid bringing pets into the pool. If someone in the family has heart disease, high blood pressure, infectious diseases, epilepsy, skin conditions, or eye problems, they should avoid getting in the water.

When taking kids to play in water, also check if the pool area is well-ventilated. Some pools use chlorine or other disinfectants, so adequate ventilation is essential. If you’re visiting a warm pool that claims to use no added disinfectants, ensure the water is constantly circulated to keep it clean.

Additionally, it’s best to wear goggles while swimming to protect your eyes from impurities in the water that could cause inflammation or infection. Goggles also prevent the eye's mucous membranes from coming into direct contact with irritating pool water. Parents should also stop their children from rubbing their eyes.

Most parents have experienced their skin turning red, swollen, or wrinkled after soaking in water for too long. Prolonged exposure to chlorinated pool water can often lead to dry skin or contact dermatitis, causing redness and folliculitis. While soaking in water is refreshing and enjoyable, don't forget to keep track of time and shower thoroughly after getting out to avoid leaving dirt or pool residue on your skin.

Also, if you're taking your baby to play in the water, remember that a baby’s skin is more delicate than an adult’s and can easily swell in water. Babies should only stay in the water for ten to twenty minutes at most. Don’t push them to swim excessively and end up hurting their skin.

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When parents accompany their children swimming, remember to get in the water and stay close to monitor your child’s safety—don’t just let them splash around while you relax on the shore.

Being in the water with your child isn’t just true companionship, but it also helps prevent accidental drowning or choking, which can lead to risks like “dry drowning” or “secondary drowning.” A four-year-old boy in the U.S. choked on water while playing and tragically died of shock seven days later. If your child shows symptoms such as unexplained coughing, headaches, difficulty breathing, or diarrhea after returning home from water activities, seek medical attention promptly and inform the doctor about recent water-related activities to assist with diagnosis.

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Even though public pools usually have cleaning staff on duty, some issues may still slip through. You never know how the previous user treated the shower area either—don’t expect them to clean up after themselves. Floors, small chairs, and hooks in public showers are common spots where germs accumulate. It’s best not to shower barefoot, and avoid placing towels or clothes directly on racks to prevent picking up bacteria or infections. The safest method is to put your items in a bag and hang them on the wall, taking them out one by one when needed.