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Sneezing and watery eyes after swimming. Any ideas how to fix?

John StarkJohn Stark
in General Training Discussions

Hi Folks:

I have been having itchy, watery eyes and lots of sneezing after my recent swims in local pool. It is a country club pool and not used too much. It does have salt water in in it. Did some research and going to test a nose clip and see if that helps.  Never had this before.

Anyone else have this issue before? If so, how did you fix it?

Any help is appreciated.

John

Comments

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Sorry, no solution here....I forgot all about the running nose after swimming......until I swam on Friday. All day at work I had a Kleenex in my hand. Weird though today, I didn't have that issue.

    Does it happen to you all the time? Wondering if they messed something up. Even with salt, don't they have to do some balancing?
  • Jason BaldomirJason Baldomir
    Could be some allergens/contaminants sitting on the surface if it is not used often. Even possibly chemically related. Maybe do some "kick sets" before you really start swimming to break the surface a bit and stir things up... otherwise maybe the noseclip image
  • DanJacqueminDanJacquemin
    There is probably "something" in the water that is irritating your sinus--so perhaps a netti pot as part of your post-swimming rituals to flush it out? The pool I swim in is usually over-chlorinated and while a little lotion takes care of the "swimmers itch" I also get the sneezing/stuffy nose. The netti pot thing gives me the willies so I've resorted to Claritin. image

    Perhaps one of the other would help with your problem?


  • kimmydctkimmydct

    Nose clips worked wonders for me. Struggled with chlorine allergy since I was a kid. The allergy meds I take for other allergies don't touch the chlorine allergy, doesn't seem to help me at all.  Plug n go!  All better!

  • Amy FergusonAmy Ferguson
    John, I suffer from this in a big way, as well. It happens every time I swim indoors at my gym (Lifetime Fitness). I don't have the severe reaction when I swim outside. It's definitely related to the level of chemicals. I think the sun exposure burns them off quicker in the outdoor pool. I consulted a friend of mine who is a PA. She suggested I take Allegra on the mornings I swim and I also flush my nose out with a saline spray directly after the swim. It has helped. I tried the nose plug and I didn't like it. I found that my reactions were actually worse the day following my swim but the Allegra has subdued the attacks a lot. If you swim really early in the morning then I would suggest dosing with the Allegra before you go to bed the night before you swim. Hope it helps. It is no fun.
  • zharveymdzharveymd

     Finding the cause if you can is the best bet......until then over the counter claritin or zyrtec either after or an hour before you swim and you could try a low dose of ibuprofen like 200 mg to help with any inflamation.  Fairly safe meds as long as you don't have any underlying severe allergic reactions to those meds which is rare.  

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander

    I had a discussion with someone the other day about this.



    I know you're a way more experienced swimmer than I am, John, but remember that your ear, nose and throat are all connected!



    The person/coach I talked with about this, said their problem was solved with ear plugs. Must've prevented getting more water get into the canals and into the sinus cavity. Wouldn't explain the watery eyes, as far as I know.

    But allergies and/or chemicals due to a strange pool sounds like a valid explanation as well.

  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Thanks everyone!  It's the next day and I am still itchy.  Just went and bought Claritin. 

     

    I think I am going to do this in steps and try until it it finally subsides.

    1 - Try nose clip

    2 - Try Nose clip and ear plugs

    3 - Claritin or equivalent.

    FYI - I swim 3x/wk with Tom Glynn@ ~ 8:45 am and our pool is outside and we are usually the only 2 in it.  There is a morning masters group but I think they are out by 7:00.  So the water has settled for a couple of hours before we get in.  It may be that the chemicals are on the surface.

    Thanks for all the feedback.

     

  • zharveymdzharveymd

     Good thinking John.  Taking it one step at a time should help determine what doesnt work before going on to the next.  If you get to the end of the list and still having problems there is another possible "trick up the sleve" but it will require a prescribing doctor and a nasal steroid spray.  

  • Brenda RossBrenda Ross
    I thought I responded to this, but it does not appear so. I had similar issues (in fact, it affected me so badly that I had bleeding nose with a rash that would not heal). Anyway, I went for NAET (Natural Allergy Ellimination Technique). I have no issues anymore.
  • waupaca11waupaca11
    count me in on the allergy pill/ sinus rinse...I take a generic Claritin before the pool and rinse with Neil MD
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