How to deal with sticky skin after swimming in the sea

Swimming in the sea is fun. However, afterwards, you will feel sticky. Coping with sticky skin after swimming in the sea may require special tricks. The reason is, salty sea water makes your skin sticky and dry. Not to mention the possibility of getting other skin diseases. So, what is the right way to get rid of the sticky feeling on the skin after swimming in the sea?

What are the risks of swimming in the sea?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's statement, seawater can be contaminated with animal waste, waste spills, rainwater runoff, feces, and germs.

If that's the case, your chances of feeling sticky to your skin after swimming will be even more pronounced.

The contamination can also expose you to infections of the gastrointestinal system, skin problems, and respiratory system. The most infectious symptom of swimming in the sea is diarrhea.

Sea water can also remove your skin's natural oils. That is why, if you intend to swim in the sea, you need to increase the use of sunscreen. You can also use a moisturizer after a day of playing at the beach.

While there may be various risks, salt water can actually strengthen the lining of your skin. Salt water can also soothe itchy and inflamed skin.

Healthline says, although seawater can be a skin microbiome, that doesn't mean swimming in the ocean is always a risk. Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, said that most cases of swimming in the ocean do not put people at risk of infection.

Stephen Morse, PhD, professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, New York, also agrees. He said you shouldn't be afraid to swim in the sea.

In addition to knowing how to deal with skin that feels sticky after swimming, Morse also suggests that you need to take precautions to avoid the risks.

“Don't swim when you see algae blooming or dead fish. Officers may close down areas like this for recreation. People with low immunity and weak swimmers should be very careful. If you feel sick or injured while swimming, see a doctor, "said Stephen Morse.

Tips for dealing with sticky skin due to sea water

There are several steps to deal with sticky skin after a day of swimming in the sea. Here's the summary:

Shower until clean

After returning from recreation at sea, you should wash your skin with fresh water. Choose water that is lukewarm, not hot, but not cold either.

Not only that, you also need to do the following tips:

Limit bathing

Even though you feel sticky, to overcome it after swimming in the sea, you don't need to spend a lot of time in the bathroom.

Avoid strong chemical soaps

Soaps and detergents that contain strong chemicals can strip your skin of its natural oils. If you use this type of soap to treat stickiness after swimming in the sea, your skin can actually feel even drier.

Adjust the type of soap to your skin type

Clean and healthy skin is related to the type of soap you use. To get rid of sticky skin after swimming in the sea, you also need to determine the type of soap that suits your skin type.

According to the book The Skin Type Solution which is quoted Web MD, the skin is divided into several types, namely dry or oily, sensitive or resistant to pigmented or non-pigmented, and wrinkled or tight.

Make sure you choose a soap that suits your skin type so that it doesn't cause problems later on.

Use a moisturizer

After bathing until clean, you need to use a moisturizer to deal with sticky skin after swimming in the sea. This method is also useful for reducing the dry and burning sensation on the skin after exposure to the sun.