# Is it crazy to swim whilst sunburnt NEED ANSWERS FAST **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234 "2013-01-15T00:50:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/1 "2013-01-15T00:50:21Z")
Yesterday I got mild sunburn on my back. I was thinking of going swimming in an indoor pool today, is this a bad idea? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/2 "2013-01-15T00:53:09Z")
If it’s got a roof, no. The swimming isn’t the part that gave you the sunburn. If it’s got a glass roof, then maybe you might want to skip the swimming part. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/3 "2013-01-15T00:57:15Z")
If it’s a cool pool, it might feel good. If it’s a heated pool it may feel uncomfortable. As long as you’re not exposed to more sunlight, it’s fine. Shower off the chlorine and use lots of moisturizer as soon as you get out. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/4 "2013-01-15T01:00:42Z")
My medical opinion: Go jump in a lake. Just use sunblock as needed. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/5 "2013-01-15T01:02:43Z")
Second the sunblock. If you’re swimming, reapply often. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/6 "2013-01-15T01:03:08Z")
OK, **Qadgop** , how long have you been waiting for an opportunity to use that line? ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/7 "2013-01-15T01:17:10Z")
Thanks for the advice, I’ll go to the pool now ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/8 "2013-01-15T01:22:03Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > If it’s got a roof, no. The swimming isn’t the part that gave you the sunburn. If it’s got a glass roof, then maybe you might want to skip the swimming part. Glass blocks UV rays. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/9 "2013-01-15T01:30:34Z")
I used to be on a swim team that practiced at an outdoor pool. Going for LONG swim after a SERIOUS sunburn isn’t a great idea. The chlorine dries out your skin, which isn’t so great if you’re trying to recover from a burn. Think itchy. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-crazy-to-swim-whilst-sunburnt-need-answers-fast/647234/10 "2013-01-15T01:41:27Z")
A good way to combat the itchiness of sunburn, in my completely uninformed, non-medical, anecdotal opinion is with Benadryl or any other antihistamine.