Dry, Itchy Skin After Showering in Plantation

Hardness is mostly handled

In many cities, people blame hard water for dry skin. In Plantation, the plants use membrane softening, so city water generally arrives soft. If your test confirms low hardness, a softener is unlikely to change how your skin feels, and you can skip that expense.

Chloramine and hot showers

Chloramine is the disinfectant the city adds after treatment so water stays protected in the pipes. In a hot, steamy shower, some people notice its smell and say their skin or hair feels drier. A whole-home system rated for chloramine treats every shower in the house; Living Water describes its Puronics whole-home systems as removing chlorine and chloramine. Small shower-head filters vary widely and many list only chlorine.

What a test shows

• Chloramine at your shower or nearest tap, compared with the city's 0.60 to 3.40 ppm range.
• Hardness, to confirm the water is as soft as expected.
• pH and total dissolved solids.

Free things to try first

• Lower the shower temperature a little and keep showers short.
• Use a fragrance-free cleanser and moisturize right after.
• Check the water heater thermostat; very hot water dries skin on its own.
• Notice whether your skin feels different when you shower at a gym or while traveling.

Older homes and water heaters

In some of Plantation's older homes, an aging water heater or old galvanized lines can affect how water looks and smells, and a tank full of sediment can make hot water feel different. Flushing the heater on the manufacturer's schedule is a simple step. If the shower water has an odor, compare hot and cold; that points to the heater rather than the city supply, and Jorge checks both during the free test.

A medical note

Itching, rashes, eczema-like patches or anything that persists should be seen by a dermatologist. Living Waters makes no medical claims. Water treatment is about comfort and preference, and it is not a treatment for any skin condition. If you do decide to filter, it is reasonable to see whether showers feel different to you, but judge that alongside your doctor's advice.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist