Protection of the penis for swimmers

Swimming is a great form of exercise, and dedicated swimmers tend to be among the fittest men. Swimming has numerous benefits, but as with most things, there can be some downsides, so swimmers may need to take steps to protect the penis a bit in order to maintain optimal penile health. Here are some of the possible problems swimmers may face and how to correct them.

mesh jocks

Most bathing suits are designed to provide additional “coverage” of the penis so that the clammy, wet fabric does not clearly reveal a man’s endowment. Often this coverage comes in the form of “sports” tights. There’s nothing wrong with a little modesty, but often this little penile protection ends up causing considerable chafing and rashes, especially if swimmers spend time in salt water. Salt and grit can get trapped in the mesh, creating significant discomfort throughout the penile area. Often the rash can persist for quite some time, causing discomfort even when wearing baggy underpants.

red penis

Many men have experienced this: swimming in the local pool and taking off their bathing suit to find that their penis is abnormally red. In some cases, it can be sensitive and burn a bit. Those prone to panic may fear that an STI is responsible for this state of affairs, but in most cases it’s a simple culprit: too much chlorine.

When the chlorine level in the pool is too high, swimmers can get a chemical burn on the penis and other parts. The balls can also take on a redder shade than usual, as can the buttocks, and patches of skin all over the body can also be affected. (Except in cases where chlorine is especially high, redness is often confined to the midsection, for the simple reason that not only the skin absorbs the chlorine, but also the swimsuit, which then releases the chlorine on the skin when the person gets out of the pool.)

dry penis

Since being surrounded by water is a hallmark of swimming, you’d think dry penile skin would be the last problem a swimmer would face. In fact, the opposite is often the case. Because swimmers spend so much time in the water, the natural oils that keep skin hydrated can be depleted throughout the body, including the penis. This is especially true for those who frequent swimming pools, where prolonged exposure to chlorine can strip these oils from the skin.

swimmer’s itch

Although chlorinated pools can create some penis protection problems, so can freshwater sources. One of the most common side effects of swimming in lakes and ponds is a skin condition called swimmer’s itch, which can be especially bothersome when it occurs on the penis. Swimmer’s itch occurs when parasites that live in ducks or other waterfowl attack a human. They die quickly, but leave an itchy rash that can last for days.

Treatment

Showering or washing immediately after getting out of the water is often a good idea to clean your skin of chlorine, salt, and other irritants. It also helps to take steps to keep your skin soft and hydrated.

Therefore, swimmers should apply a reliable penile health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe for the skin) after washing to take penis protection to the next step. Penile skin will respond especially well to a cream that includes a combination of moisturizers, such as a high-end emollient (shea butter from the fruit of the shea tree is exceptional) and a natural moisturizer (vitamin E is excellent). This will rehydrate the skin and also help relieve itchiness. Also, a vitamin A cream is highly recommended. Why? Vitamin A has antibacterial properties, so any stray bacteria picked up along the way, especially from the locker room, can be quickly dealt with.

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