Blisters on the finger tips and toes after swimming in a 6 year old boy?

Question

my son went swimming on saturday and sunday he is 6 he spent several hours in the pool. he got out of the pool because his foot hurt and he was bleeding it looked like he had scraped his toes so we cleaned it and he seemed fine got back in the water. about an hour later he got out crying his other foot had began bleeding. looked the same way except this time it was his big toe and pinky toe. again we thought he was scraping it on the bottom of the pool or stairs so we just had him dry off and stay out of the water, well this after noon everyone of his fingers are blistered? the pnly difference is swimming 2 days in a row. it is summer time and we have an in ground pool.. could this be from the pool?

Answer 1

yes!... we have and inground pool and when i was a kid i always had "raw" toes and finger tips when i got out.

mostly because it is a kind of rough plaster finish and i always was hanging on to the edge and constantly was touching the sides with my hands and feet.

just have him not holding on the the sides anymore and he shouldn't get those blisters.

oh and get him waters socks... you know like the ones you wear at the river!

Answer 2

As a Lifeguard of many years I used to see this every once in awhile at the beginning of the season.  As the previous answerer has said, it is most likely caused by abrasion against the rough pool deck and the bottom of the pool.  This is usually heightened at the beginning of the season due to a child's relatively soft skin (having worn shoes all winter, etc).  Hanging onto the edge of the pool contributes with the fingers, I'm sure.  

As the season progresses, the child will be barefoot more and build up some calouses.  And will gain confidence in the pool and hang onto the side less.  The problem will certainly go away as the season progresses.  

Sometimes the pool bottom and pool deck have accumulated particles of dirt and sand over the off season, and only repeated cleanings over the season eliminates it.  The deck and pool bottom may be a little more abrasive at the beginning of a swim-year than later on, and that can be a contributing cause.

Wash any abrasions with mild soap and water.  You don't need to do anything specific more than that, except keep watch as there is a slight chance of infection.  A band-aid is more a psychological help, and if the child returns to the water it will come off, anyway....but sometimes its worth putting one on for the mental benefit!