Can a shower filter reduce asthma and eczema?

Can a shower filter reduce asthma and eczema? 

As parents, we do everything we can to create a healthy home for our families. Nutritious food, clean air, safe spaces to play. But one hidden source of irritation often goes unnoticed: the water our children bathe in every day.

Australian tap water is treated with chemicals to remove harmful bacteria and make it safe to drink, but these chemicals can irritate the skin and lungs when you’re exposed to them in a hot steamy shower.

 That’s where a chlorine shower filter like the zazen Infinity Shower Filter can play an important role in supporting healthier skin, easier breathing, and greater comfort for your family – particularly kids with allergies, eczema, or asthma.

What's really in your shower water? 

Tap water isn’t just H₂O. It’s a mix of disinfectants, heavy metals, and trace contaminants. The most common contaminants in tap water are chlorine and chloramines, which are added to kill bacteria and make water safe to drink. You may also find volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as chloroform, and traces of heavy metals from ageing pipes.

When we step into a hot shower, we’re exposed to these contaminants through our skin (also known as dermal absorption) and the vapour we breathe. While chlorine and chloramines are effective disinfectants, they can also disrupt the delicate balance of the skin and respiratory system, especially in children.

Chlorine and eczema: Why chlorine can worsen skin allergies

Chlorine and skin rashes are common, particularly in children. If your child struggles with sensitive skin, eczema, or frequent rashes, chlorine may be part of the problem.

• Chlorine strips natural oils from the skin, which can leave it dry, itchy, and more prone to irritation
• For children with eczema, a chronic genetic condition that impairs the skin’s ability to repair its protective barrier, chlorine exposure can trigger painful flare-ups. Some kids see their eczema worsen after swimming in chlorinated pools or even after regular showers.
• Irritants like chlorine can inflame sensitive skin, contributing to more frequent flare-ups in those predisposed to eczema.

Simply put, what’s meant to keep water “clean” may in fact be compromising the body’s first line of defence: the skin barrier.

The link between chlorine and asthma

It’s not just skin that suffers. There’s also growing evidence connecting chlorine exposure with respiratory issues:

• Chlorinated swimming pools can trigger coughs and asthma symptoms cause by inhaling chlorine vapour.
• Even in much lower concentrations, tap water by-products like chloroform can evaporate during a shower and inhaled. Research shows this is a significant route of chlorine exposure – not just drinking, but breathing it into the lungs where it is absorbed directly into your blood stream.  

The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) acknowledges that chlorine is a strong respiratory irritant and prolonged inhalation can negatively impact lung health, which is particularly concerning for sensitive populations such as children.

For those already managing asthma or allergies, reducing unnecessary chemical exposures can help lighten the toxic load and support their overall wellbeing.

How a shower filter can help

The good news? You can significantly reduce your child’s exposure simply by filtering the water they shower in.

The zazen Infinity Shower Filter is designed to:

• Remove chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants before they reach your skin and lungs.
• Reduce harsh vapours in the bathroom, so kids breathe cleaner air while showering.
• Deliver gentler, softer water that hydrates the skin instead of stripping it, easing chlorine and skin rashes.

The difference can be life-changing. Customers consistently report improvements in both skin and breathing after switching to filtered shower water. One mum shared:

“I decided to try the zazen shower filter after being pregnant and being quite sensitive to tap water. Each time I would shower, I would get a rash and the water always smelt of chlorine. After installing the shower filter, I have the softest skin, don't really need to moisturise and no more rashes, plus no smell of chlorine. Highly recommend!”

A simple step toward better health

When it comes to protecting our family’s health, small changes can make a big difference. By swapping harsh, chlorinated shower water for cleaner, filtered water, you’re reducing irritants that can dry skin, trigger allergies, and inflame the lungs.

The zazen Infinity Shower Filter helps create a healthier, more nurturing daily ritual, helping kids feel comfortable in their skin and breathe more freely. It’s a simple, powerful step that parents can take to support long-term wellbeing.

Discover the zazen Infinity Shower Filter.