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Impetigo and swimming pools: the best prevention in summer

Dr Christian Leyva appeared this week on Canal Sur to explain the key facts about impetigo, a mild but highly contagious skin infection, after two cases were detected at the municipal swimming pool in Escacena del Campo (Huelva). The Regional Health Department has ruled out an outbreak, but the episode has served as a reminder of how important it is to be especially careful with hygiene during the swimming season.

 

What impetigo is and why it is a concern in summer

Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin, particularly common in children. Its prognosis is good and it usually runs a mild course but, as Dr Leyva explained during his appearance on Canal Sur, how easily it spreads makes strict hygiene measures essential, especially in shared-use facilities such as swimming pools.

Heat, humidity, skin softened by the water and close contact between users create the ideal conditions for the bacteria to pass from one person to another.

 

It is not the only infection of the swimming season

Fungal infections and conjunctivitis are among the other conditions most commonly seen during the swimming season, although in most cases they can be prevented with simple measures.

  • Fungal infections (athlete’s foot and other skin mycoses), encouraged by humidity and shared surfaces.
  • Conjunctivitis, linked to the water and eye-to-hand contact.
  • Other skin infections arising from poorly treated wounds.

 

Five key prevention measures

1. Wash your hands frequently

Washing your hands regularly removes germs before they reach damaged skin or the eyes.

2. Keep nails short and clean

Especially important in children: it prevents cuts from scratching and stops germs from collecting under the nails.

3. Don’t share personal items

Clothing, towels, soft toys or footwear can all act as means of transmission.

4. Treat any existing wounds properly

Applying antiseptics and covering the lesions with dressings aids recovery and prevents the bacteria from spreading.

5. Dry yourself thoroughly and wear flip-flops

Particularly in communal changing rooms and showers, to reduce the risk of fungal infections.

 

Special attention for people with diabetes

In patients with diabetes, any skin lesion warrants extra vigilance, as healing can be slower and the risk of secondary infection higher. This is a particularly relevant precaution when it comes to the feet, as we explain in our article on the diabetic foot and its complications. If you live with diabetes, take extra care with wounds during the swimming season.

If you notice skin lesions with a yellowish crust, spreading redness or persistent itching after swimming, a medical assessment is advisable. Treatment is usually straightforward, but an early diagnosis limits transmission within the family and at school. You can book an appointment for a personalised assessment.