Swim Lesson Skin, Hair & Eye Care Checklist

Weekly swim lessons mean weekly pool water on skin, hair and eyes. A two-minute routine before and after class keeps most kids comfortable, and comfortable kids keep swimming. Use this page to set the routine, spot problems early and know when to ask a doctor.

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🎒 Step 1: Before Class

Quick rinse or shower. A short shower before getting in helps wash off sweat, lotion and dirt that use up pool chemicals and can irritate eyes and skin.
Bathroom stop. Pee and sweat react with pool chlorine, and that reaction is a main cause of red, stinging eyes. A bathroom trip before class helps.
Tie back long hair. A braid, bun or swim cap keeps hair out of eyes and mouth and means less hair to rinse.
Goggles packed and fitted. Well-fitting goggles are the simplest protection for stinging eyes. Check the strap and the seal on dry land.
Sensitive skin plan. If your child has dry or eczema-prone skin, ask your pediatrician what to use beforehand, and tell the instructor.

🚿 Step 2: Right After Class

Rinse the whole body. A warm, short shower with mild soap removes pool water from skin and hair. Use the on-site showers if there are any.
Wash hair. Use a gentle shampoo, and a conditioner for long or curly hair. Comb out gently while it is wet.
Pat dry, do not rub. Pay attention to skin folds, behind the knees and elbows, and between toes.
Moisturize within a few minutes. A fragrance-free moisturizer on damp skin helps replace moisture lost in the pool.
Do not rub eyes. If eyes sting, rinse with clean water and let them settle. Rubbing makes irritation worse.
Dry ears gently. Tilt the head to each side and dry the outer ear with a towel. See our swimmer’s ear checklist for more.
Rinse the swimsuit. Rinse in fresh water after every class so chemicals do not sit against the skin next time.

🔍 Step 3: What We Are Watching For

What you see	Usually means	What to do
Dry, tight or flaky skin	Pool water drying the skin	Shower and moisturize right after class
Red, stinging eyes after class	Irritation from pool chemicals and pee/sweat	Goggles, rinse with clean water, no rubbing
Dry, straw-like or tangled hair	Chlorine and repeated wetting	Rinse at once, shampoo and condition, braid before class
Itchy red bumps or patches	Could be a skin reaction or rash	Rinse, moisturize, and call your pediatrician if it persists
Cough, wheeze or tight chest in an indoor pool	Could be airway irritation	Stop and talk to your pediatrician before the next class
Ear pain or pulling at an ear	Could be swimmer’s ear	Call your pediatrician

Call your pediatrician if skin is cracked, weeping, blistered or spreading, if your child has eye pain, swelling or changes in vision, or if any breathing symptom keeps coming back. This checklist is for everyday comfort, not for diagnosis.

📋 Step 4: Our 6-Week Care Log

Week	Shower before? (Y / N)	Rinse + moisturize after? (Y / N)	Hair washed? (Y / N)	Skin / eye / hair notes
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6

How to read it. If the same problem shows up three weeks running, change one thing (goggles, a cap, moisturizer timing) and log the result. If it does not improve, ask your pediatrician.

🗓️ Step 5: Our Family Plan

Child’s name

Class day and time

Who handles the post-class shower

Moisturizer we use

Goggles / cap we use

Pediatrician phone

A line to remember: “Rinse, wash, pat, moisturize.” Do it in the same order every week and it becomes automatic.