If you’ve had a nucola injection to treat a wart, skin tag, or other dermatological issue within the past couple weeks, you may be wondering, can you go to the pool after nucola injection?
This is a very common question in the hot summer months, when everyone itching to beat the heat but also want to properly care for healing skin.
nucola is commonly derived from coal tar or bleomycin. When injected, it doesn’t travel far and effects are usually contained to the immediate injection site. After treatment, a scab or scarring may form over the next few weeks as the area heals.
So does this mean pool time must be indefinitely postponed until fully healed? Not necessarily.
In this article, I’ll provide an overview of can you go to the pool after nucola injection and examine the potential dangers pools may pose to recently injected skin. I’ll also share expert guidelines around post-treatment wound care and suggested waiting periods before submerging that area again.
So read on to find out if and when it’s truly okay to go back to the pool after your own nicula treatment.
What is nucola?
Nucola is basically a medication they inject under your skin to kill problem cells. It stops warts and other lesions from multiplying by interfering with their growth. While it works like magic, Nucola is no joke – it leaves the treated skin fragile and rebuilding for up to a couple weeks as it heals
During the healing phase the skin remains delicate. The injected area takes time to develop a new protective barrier after being compromised by the medication and healing process. This makes it more prone to irritation or potential infection until fully healed.
Can you go to the pool after nucola injection
No, Most doctors will tell you swimming is best put on hold for around two weeks minimum after a nicula injection. Waiting that long allows time for complete wound healing and a barrier as tough as the rest of you to form without risk of disruption.
Now once those couple weeks are up, you can ease back into pool fun with some precautions. Keep an eye out for signs of irritation like pain, redness or discharge at the old injection site. Cover with waterproof bandages for added protection if needed.
With enough patience and attention to the spot’s condition, you really shouldn’t need to sacrifice your whole summer swimming plans thanks to one little nicula shot. Just follow doctor directions and listen to your body’s cues
The main concern with pool use too soon after a nicula injection is risk of infection. it also carries some potential risks to broken or damaged skin.
Infection Risks in Pools
Some key infection risks in pools include:
Bacteria
Despite chlorination, pools can still harbor some bacteria that thrive in warm water. Broken skin is more vulnerable to these potentially harmful microbes.
Chemical exposure
Chlorine is the most common sanitizer used. While it kills germs, it can also irritate injured skin during healing. Other pool chemicals like pH adjusters carry similar risks.
Cuts and abrasions
The treated area may still be delicate following a nicula injection. Coming into contact with surfaces in the pool raises chances of cuts or scrapes that spread bacteria in all pool.
Viruses
Though less common, pools may harbor viruses like norovirus, which causes gastrointestinal illness. Broken skin provides an easy portal of entry.
Healing Time Guidance for Nucola injection
Most dermatologists and medical professionals advise allowing at least 1-2 full weeks after a nicula injection for the treated site to fully heal and re-epithelialize before pool exposure. This waiting period helps reduce infection dangers by allowing enough time for:
- Wound closure and development of a new protective barrier over the injection site
- Any scabs or scars to fully form and stabilize without the risk of disruption in chlorinated water
- Reduced risk of bacteria gaining access to the still-healing skin through any minor cuts or breaks
- During the initial healing phase, keeping the area clean and dry is most important. Avoid soaking until the injection site no longer requires any bandaging and has regained normal texture and color to fully blend in with surrounding skin.
Considerations after 2 Weeks
For most people, 2 weeks provides enough time for even multiple injection sites to heal over properly. However, a few extra precautions are still advisable:
- Monitor the area – Check for any signs of infection like increased pain, swelling, redness or discharge before swimming. Skip pool time if the site remains irritated.
- Use waterproof bandages – Cover any sites that appear newly formed or still fragile with waterproof bandages for additional protection in the pool.
- Shower after – Rinse well with fresh water and apply a gentle emollient to replenish natural oils once finished swimming until the area feels entirely resilient again.
- Consider chlorine levels – Chlorinated pools carry less risk than poorly maintained pools or natural bodies of water. Take a dip only if chlorine levels read adequately sanitized.
- Consult your dermatologist – Particularly with larger/deeper nicula injections, always check with your provider to ensure full healing and resilience against potential pool irritants. Their guidance supersedes general timelines.
So How Long Does This Nucala Stuff Actually Hang Out In our System?
On average, its half-life is like 2-3 weeks. That means that’s how long it takes for the levels in your body to go down by half.
Plus, you only get dosed once a month. That schedule is designed to keep the amounts steady between shots.
Part of why it lasts is how it acts in your body. As a “monoclonal antibody”, Nucala tightly binds to its target (a protein called IL-5). So it doesn’t break down as fast as some other meds.
Studies showed the medication was still providing benefits at least 4 weeks after the last shot. And clearing it fully takes about 5 months after stopping treatment!
With its slow fade out, monthly shots, and how tightly it attaches to its target, nucola injection maintains fighting levels continuously in your system.
