Is there a link between swimming pool attendance and allergic diseases in children?

Research shows a connection between swimming pool attendance and allergic diseases in children, but the link is strongest for asthma. A 2026 meta-analysis of 23 studies involving over 54,000 participants found that children who swim in pools have about a 14% higher chance of developing asthma compared to those who do not ⁵⁷. However, the same analysis did not find a clear link to other allergic conditions like hay fever, atopic dermatitis (eczema), or wheezing ⁵⁷. Interestingly, early swimming pool attendance was actually linked to a lower risk of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) in children ⁵⁷. The reasons for these associations are not fully understood, but exposure to chlorine by-products in pool water may play a role ⁸.

What the research says

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis combined data from 23 studies and found a statistically significant association between swimming pool attendance and asthma, with an odds ratio of 1.14 ⁵⁷. This means that children who attend swimming pools have about a 14% higher odds of having asthma. The association was similar in children specifically and in those with early-life exposure to pools ⁵⁷. However, no significant link was found for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or wheezing overall ⁵⁷. Interestingly, early swimming pool attendance was associated with a 22% lower odds of allergic rhinitis in children ⁵⁷. An earlier 2008 study also found higher rates of asthma in children who attended baby swimming, though the authors noted this could be due to reverse causation (parents of children with asthma might avoid swimming) ⁸. The same study found no clear association with atopic dermatitis or hay fever ⁸. The potential mechanism involves exposure to chlorination by-products, which can irritate the airways and possibly trigger asthma ⁸. The broader context of allergic disease research shows that early-life environmental exposures, including those that affect the microbiome, are important for immune development ³. However, the specific role of pool chemicals in allergic disease is still being studied.

What to ask your doctor

• Given my child's asthma risk, are there any precautions we should take when swimming in chlorinated pools?
• Could my child's early swimming exposure have contributed to their allergic rhinitis or asthma symptoms?
• Are there alternative swimming environments, such as saltwater or ozone-treated pools, that might be safer for children with allergies?
• Should I monitor my child for asthma symptoms if they swim regularly, and what signs should I look for?
• Is there any benefit to limiting pool attendance for my child to reduce allergy or asthma risk?