Dry, Itchy Skin After Showering in Royal Palm Beach

Comfort factors

• Disinfectant: chloramine most of the year, and chlorine only during the county's twice-yearly switch.
• Hot water and long showers.
• Soap and rinse: how soap lathers and rinses relates to mineral content.
• Indoor air: air conditioning runs much of the year and dries the air.

Water temperature matters as much as anything. Hot water strips natural oils faster, and long hot showers are common after a day outdoors in the heat. A filter changes what is in the water, not its temperature, so the habits below are worth trying alongside any equipment.

Hardness is less often the cause on county water

PBCWUD reduces hardness at its plants with lime softening and membranes, so hardness is a less common culprit for homes on county water than for homes on raw well water. On a private well, hardness can be part of the picture. A test tells you which applies.

What a test shows

Jorge measures chloramine, hardness and TDS at a shower or nearby tap. If chloramine is the main factor, a chloramine-rated whole-home system addresses it. If hardness is high on a well, softening may change how soap rinses.

Many people also notice dry hair and stiff towels. Mention those during the test, because they help separate disinfectant from hardness. A chlorine smell in a hot bathroom points toward chloramine; stiff laundry with a high hardness reading on a well points toward minerals.

If you already use a shower-head filter, check whether it is rated for chloramine. Many are designed for free chlorine, which the county uses only during its twice-yearly maintenance switch.

Options

See chloramine filters and whole-house vs. under-sink.

Jorge's test takes only a few minutes per tap, so he can compare the kitchen with a bathroom if you like. Readings are usually similar on county water, which helps confirm whether one whole-home system or a single shower filter makes more sense.

Things to try first

• Shorter, slightly cooler showers.
• Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers.
• Moisturizer right after drying off.
• Notice whether your skin feels different during the county's chlorine-only weeks.

No medical claims

Living Water does not claim that any system treats skin conditions such as eczema. Many people simply prefer how filtered water feels. For persistent itching or rashes, see a dermatologist. To test your shower water for free, call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

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