Does swimming pool attendance increase asthma risk in children with atopic dermatitis?

If your child has atopic dermatitis (eczema), you may wonder whether swimming in chlorinated pools could raise their risk of developing asthma. Current research shows a small but consistent link between swimming pool attendance and asthma in children, but no clear connection to atopic dermatitis itself. The evidence is based on large studies, but the increase in risk is modest, and other factors likely play a role.

What the research says

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies involving over 54,000 participants found that swimming pool attendance was associated with a 14% higher odds of asthma in children (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08-1.21) ⁴¹⁰. The same review found no significant link between swimming pool attendance and atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or wheezing ⁴¹⁰. An earlier 2008 study also reported higher rates of asthma in children who attended swimming pools early in life (OR 2.15), but noted this could be due to reverse causation (children with asthma symptoms might be taken to swimming for therapy) ⁹. Importantly, the 2026 meta-analysis found that early-life exposure (before age 2) was also associated with increased asthma risk (OR 1.13) ⁴¹⁰. However, the evidence does not suggest that swimming pool attendance causes atopic dermatitis or worsens it. The link appears specific to asthma, and the overall risk increase is small.

What to ask your doctor

• Given my child's atopic dermatitis, what is their individual risk of developing asthma?
• Are there any precautions we should take if my child swims in chlorinated pools?
• Could swimming be beneficial for my child's eczema or overall health despite the small asthma risk?
• Should we consider alternative forms of exercise or swimming in non-chlorinated pools?
• What early signs of asthma should I watch for in my child?