You’ve slathered on the factor 50, packed the sun hats, and wrestled the kids into their swimsuits. The pool is sparkling, the sea is inviting, and you’ve finally found a sun lounger that doesn’t have a suspicious stain.
But here’s a question most of us don’t think about until it’s too late: how long have you been sitting in that damp bikini?
Spending hours in a wet swimsuit – lounging by the pool, going straight from the water to lunch, or throwing a cover-up over a still-damp costume – might seem harmless. But according to Dr Sima Al Asad, an NHS doctor training in obstetrics and gynaecology and an aesthetic doctor specialising in women’s intimate health, it’s one of the most common causes of irritation and discomfort this time of year.
I sat down with Dr Sima (who runs Dr Sima Aesthetics in Knightsbridge) to get the low-down on why our summer habits might be causing more than just a minor nuisance – and what we can do about it.
Why does something so harmless cause so many problems?
Monica: You say that staying in a wet swimsuit is one of the most common causes of irritation that women overlook. Why does something that seems so harmless cause so many problems?
Dr Sima: I think because it feels so normal and tied to happy summer memories that people rarely question it. Most women have spent years sitting around in wet swimwear on holiday without ever thinking twice about it. But the reality is that prolonged dampness, heat, friction, and tight fabrics create the perfect environment for irritation and imbalance, particularly around intimate skin which is naturally much more delicate and sensitive. A lot of women don’t realise that the vulval skin is incredibly reactive to moisture and friction. So even something as simple as sitting in a damp bikini for hours at lunch or by the pool can disrupt the area’s natural balance.
It’s not just about bacteria
Monica: What exactly happens to the body when you sit around in a damp bikini for hours? Is it just about bacteria, or is there more going on?
Dr Sima: It’s definitely not just about bacteria. What’s really happening is that you’re creating a warm, enclosed environment where moisture sits against the skin for prolonged periods. That combination of heat, sweat, friction, chlorine, saltwater, and tight synthetic fabrics can irritate the skin barrier and disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast. Many women immediately think ‘infection’, but often the first issue is actually irritation and inflammation. The skin becomes more sensitive, more reactive, and more vulnerable – especially if someone is already prone to thrush, eczema, dryness, hormonal changes or sensitive skin generally.
Does chlorine or saltwater make it worse?
Monica: Many mums assume pool chlorine or sea salt “cleans” everything. Does that actually make things worse?
Dr Sima: Yes, sometimes it absolutely can. People often associate chlorine and saltwater with cleanliness, but both can be surprisingly drying and irritating, particularly when they sit on the skin for hours afterwards. Chlorine can disrupt the skin barrier and strip natural moisture, while saltwater can become very irritating once it dries against sensitive skin in tight swimwear. Often it’s not the swimming itself that causes the problem – it’s staying in the damp swimsuit long afterwards.
First signs – and when to see a doctor
Monica: What are the first signs that a wet swimsuit has caused an issue – and at what point should a woman stop trying home remedies and see a doctor?
Dr Sima: The earliest signs are usually subtle. Women might notice itching, stinging, irritation, unusual discharge, soreness, chafing, or simply feeling uncomfortable and more aware of the area than usual. A lot of women initially ignore it because they assume it’s just heat or sweat.
If symptoms persist for more than a few days, become painful, keep recurring, or there’s swelling, unusual discharge or a strong odour, it’s important to get checked rather than repeatedly self?treating. I see many women who’ve spent weeks trying over-the-counter creams when the issue was either the wrong diagnosis or ongoing irritation from the environment itself.
Why do we brush it off as “normal”?
Monica: You mention that symptoms like itching or discomfort are often brushed off as “normal” or just part of summer. Why do you think women minimise these symptoms?
Dr Sima: I think women are incredibly used to normalising discomfort. Whether it’s painful periods, bladder leaks after childbirth, hormonal symptoms or irritation, many women are conditioned to think they’re expected to just tolerate these things silently.
There’s also still a huge amount of embarrassment around intimate symptoms. Many women would rather ignore itching or discomfort than discuss it openly, even with a doctor, and during summer especially, people often blame heat, sweat, exercise or tight clothing without realising something more significant may be developing.
Three no-fuss tips for mums on holiday
Monica: What are your top three practical, no-fuss tips for mums on holiday who want to avoid irritation without spending the whole day changing outfits?
Dr Sima:
- Don’t stay in a wet swimsuit longer than you need to. Even changing into dry shorts or linen trousers over the top can help reduce prolonged dampness and friction.
- Avoid sitting for hours in tight synthetic fabrics after swimming, especially in the heat. Breathable clothing makes a huge difference than most people realise.
- Keep things simple. Overwashing, heavily fragranced products, and harsh soaps often make irritation worse in summer. The intimate area doesn’t need aggressive cleansing at all.
Fabric, fit, and young girls
Monica: Are there certain swimsuit fabrics or styles that are worse than others? And does wearing a bikini versus a one-piece make a difference?
Dr Sima: Tighter synthetic fabrics that trap heat and moisture tend to be more irritating, especially if they stay damp for long periods. It’s less about bikini versus one-piece, more about breathability, tightness, and how long the fabric stays wet against the skin. Very tight swimwear, especially combined with heat and prolonged sitting, tends to increase friction and irritation.
Monica: What about young girls – daughters on holiday with their mums? Should parents be teaching them different habits around wet swimwear?
Dr Sima: I actually think this is a really important conversation. A lot of women only learn these habits later in life after repeatedly dealing with irritation or infections themselves. Teaching girls early on to change out of damp swimwear, dry off properly, and understand basic intimate hygiene without shame is genuinely helpful. It normalises caring for that part of the body in the same way we teach children about skincare, suncream, or brushing their teeth.
What to do if you’re already itchy – with no pharmacy in sight
Monica: If a mum is already feeling itchy or uncomfortable, what can she do immediately to get relief (especially if she’s miles from a pharmacy)?
Dr Sima: The most important thing initially is removing the ongoing irritation. Change out of damp swimwear as soon as possible, wear loose breathable clothing, avoid fragranced products, and keep the area cool and dry. A lot of women instinctively start over-washing or scrubbing the area, but that often worsens irritation. If symptoms are severe, recurrent or not settling after a few days, it’s important not to keep guessing or self-diagnosing.
The one summer habit to adopt
Monica: Finally, what’s the one summer habit you wish every woman would adopt to keep things healthy and comfortable?
Dr Sima: Honestly, just normalising changing out of wet swimwear sooner. Women are very good at prioritising everyone else on holiday and ignoring their own discomfort, but something that small genuinely makes a difference.
I think many women would avoid a lot of unnecessary irritation simply by treating prolonged damp swimwear the same way they’d treat staying in sweaty gym clothes for hours afterwards – something most people now recognise isn’t ideal for the body.
So there you have it, mums. A wet bikini isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s an open invitation for irritation. The good news? The fix is simple. Change into dry clothes, let your skin breathe, and don’t be a martyr to the sun lounger.
Your holiday will be much happier without the itch.
Dr Sima Al Asad runs Dr Sima Aesthetics in Knightsbridge. If you have persistent symptoms, please consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
