Not only does algae growth in pools look bad—it can also be dangerous to your health. Pool owners: Invest in a robot pool cleaner to keep your swimming pool safe and hygienic. Algae, specifically blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria), can be toxic and cause serious health issues. In this article, we will discuss algae poisoning symptoms and ways to prevent algae with proper pool maintenance.
Most Common Symptoms of Algae Poisoning
Toxic algae can cause different symptoms based on the type of contact (such as ingestion, skin exposure or inhalation). Here are some common signs to look out for:
Skin Irritation and Rashes
Touching water that is infested with algae directly causes itching, redness, and rashes. People with sensitive skin or pre-existing conditions, such as eczema, are especially at risk.
Respiratory Issues
Breathing airborne toxins from algae-tainted water can result in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should be particularly careful.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Drinking water contaminated with algae can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Symptoms can appear within a couple of hours of exposure.
Eye and Ear Infections
Pool water contaminated with algae puts swimmers at risk of eye irritation and ear infections associated with redness, itching and discomfort.
Neurological Symptoms
In extreme cases, exposure to toxic algae can lead to dizziness, confusion, headaches or even liver damage after prolonged exposure.
How to Avoid Algae Poisoning
The most effective deterrent to algae poisoning is well-maintained pools. With a robotic pool cleaner, such as the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra, Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro, or the Beatbot AquaSense 2, algae growth can be drastically reduced as the pool robotic cleaner effectively scrubs and filters the pool water. Here are more ways to protect against it:
Regularly remove debris that encourages algae growth by using a pool vacuum and skimmer.
Shocking your pool and balancing chemical levels to deter algae blooms.
Installing a pool booster pump helps improve water circulation.
Put money into a wall climbing pool cleaner for the thorough cleaning, it can go to where you can’t reach.
Learn how to acid wash a pool in cases of pedigree algae infestations.
Find out how to drain an inground pool without a pump if you need to, for deep cleaning.
Will a Pool Robot Clean Up Algae?
Yes! A pool vacuum robot is specifically make for algae cleaning from pool surfaces. Algae cleaner brands, such as Maytronics pool cleaner and Beatbot pool-cleaning robot, can be particularly effective in dealing with stubborn algae.
Conclusion
If you have symptoms of algae poisoning after swimming, get medical attention right away. And the best way to avoid these risks is to keep your pool clean with a robot pool cleaner and regular maintenance practices. Great gear like a swimming pool robot cleaner can make the difference in a safe, algae-free pool.
