OK, this spring, for the first time ever, it seems like every time after I swim I start having all sorts of issues with my sinuses a few hours later…constant drip, sneezing, blockage, sinus pressure, you name it. I’ve been upping my volume in order to get ready for IM Moo, but I’m really not in the pool that much longer. Any ideas? Anyone else with the same problem? I’m considering ditching swimming for a couple of weeks and then get back to it to see if that helps. Is there such a thing as being allergic or sensitive to chlorine?
You can be allergic to chlorine, definitely. Maybe in the spring, more people use the pool so they up the Chlorine? Or maybe with the hotter weather, there is more Chlorine in the air just over the water… Hot temps makes the Chlorine seep out of the water (inverse of solids… hotter temps mean less gas dissolves in the water).
But chlorine allergy is definitely a common problem. A lot of pools use Bromine, because it is easier on the senses.
But I know that my sinuses ALWAYS itch more after swimming in a warm pool vs a cold pool…
Yes. I have the same problem. I’ve been prescribed Flonase. It definitely helps, but doesn’t cure it completely. When I’m training consistently I always sound stuffy. Flonase or not. I have friend whose an Olympian and said he didn’t sound clear til after he’d stopped swimming. It’s just something you’ll have to learn to live to some degree with if ya wanna tri.
Also try using a saline flush. Didn’t work for me but it does for others.
Defintely had this problem for years, now I’ve been cured for over two years. The solution is so very simple. No it is not Sudafed, Allegra, Flonase, Nasalcort, etc… Keep the water out of your nose! A $3 nose clip does the trick.
“Is there such a thing as being allergic or sensitive to chlorine?”
Yep… Have had this reaction for 20 yrs and counting… you can try certain prescription nasal sprays (ex. - Flonase, etc)… OR, you can do what I’ve found to be the best solution - Nose Clip. Once you get use to it… works like a sharm.
As others have said, definitely sounds like chlorine allergy developing. What you also should do besides always wearing a nose clip is washing the whole body thoroughly with soap after every swim in the pool. Otherwise when the allergy gets worse there will be problems with itchy irritaded reddish skin too. If taking those measures you should be able to control it and keep swimming.
Yeah VERY common amongst swimmers. I was a college Div I swimmer and now just swim for tri’s and I still get this after I get out of the pool. It is just something I have learned to deal with and accept. It goes away after a few hours but the longer I stay in the pool the worse it is. If I only do a 30 min swim not so bad but anything over an hour and it drives me crazy to say the least.
Have never used any medication…just purely a reaction to the pool chemicals, chlorine, and elements outside the pool.
I used to take Allegra which was 70% effective at reducing my symptons. I now take over-the-counter (Target Branded) Claritin-D, which is around 80% effective.
Still get a little conjested, but not so much runny nose and stuffed up sinuses.
I’ll take (1) pill about 30 minutes before hitting the pool.
Same problem here. Just as my sinuses start to clear up, it’s time for another workout. Drixoral works well overnight. Snorting a few palmfuls of fresh tapwater after getting out of the pool seems to help too.
Wow, I had no idea some many others had the same problem. Appreciate all of the advice. I’ve recently been trying to maintain a more neutral head position, and while it seems like I go faster, I do get a lot more water up my nose.
I get the same thing every spring. My solution is a trip to the doc for some antibiotics. It seems to be a mild sinus infection that just lingers. 3 or 4 days into the 10 day prescription and things are better for swimming. Flonase is also a good suggestion. I was told twice a day for 1 week, then once per day for week. Good Luck.
A fellow triathlete who is a dr. told me to continue taking allegra which I take for other allergies and to use flonase before and after swimming to stop the reaction. He said that the two combine to fight the chlorine allergy - I haven’t had a problem since.
I too have had this problem for years. This year I have stumbled on something that seems to work. I know this may sound crazy, but I started using ear plugs a few months ago. Ever since, I have had no sinus problems following my swims. One time I forgot them … and I got the post swim congestion. Go figure.
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