Every time after a swim workout I get a runny nose, which seems to result from my nose and maybe my sinuses becoming dry. I've tried several things - using a nose clip while swimming, using a neti pot afterwards, and using an allergy relief spray with natural ingredients, but to no avail. For much of the rest of the day I'll be sniffling, having to blow my nose and it will be dripping. Some days are worse than others, but it can also interfere a little with my sleep. I really want to get into a regular routine of swim workouts, but this is getting in my way of being productive after I'm done swimming that day. Other than this, I have no problems breathing or anything like that. Any advice on how to treat or prevent this? Would taking a hot shower after I get home do the trick?
I was thinking about this yesterday after my swim, and concluded that (in my case anyway) it is NOT an allergic reaction. Because...it usually happens not only after I've been swimming in the chlorinated pool...but also, like yesterday, after I've done an open-water swim (salt or fresh water). In most cases, like yesterday, hours later my nose will just begin to run. Not run with a thicker snotty mucus, but almost straight water coming out...actually dripping out of my nose. Given that every person's sinuses are probably formed a little differently, I think that my sinuses must have some pockets or crevices where the water gets trapped, maybe by suction, and then slowly drains out over a matter of hours. Think of a full bottle being turned upside-down without a vent hole. The fluid will drain out, but much slower. Blowing my nose helps a little, but only to get it out of my nose once it's drained out of whatever little crevice it came out of. Sometimes just turning my head a certain way will cause the water to drain. It'll drain for a few minutes. Then it's done.
Dan
I was thinking about this yesterday after my swim, and concluded that (in my case anyway) it is NOT an allergic reaction. Because...it usually happens not only after I've been swimming in the chlorinated pool...but also, like yesterday, after I've done an open-water swim (salt or fresh water). In most cases, like yesterday, hours later my nose will just begin to run. Not run with a thicker snotty mucus, but almost straight water coming out...actually dripping out of my nose. Given that every person's sinuses are probably formed a little differently, I think that my sinuses must have some pockets or crevices where the water gets trapped, maybe by suction, and then slowly drains out over a matter of hours. Think of a full bottle being turned upside-down without a vent hole. The fluid will drain out, but much slower. Blowing my nose helps a little, but only to get it out of my nose once it's drained out of whatever little crevice it came out of. Sometimes just turning my head a certain way will cause the water to drain. It'll drain for a few minutes. Then it's done.
Dan
