Chlorine Allergy

First, you cannot be allergic to chlorine. It is an irritant, not an allergen. Don't know what your particular issue is, but if swimming has been making you sick with sinus infections and whatnot, I fully understand. I have really struggled the last two years with my sinuses and breathing. I have allergies to most of the world and chlorine seems to make it worse. I am also an ex-runner, but have persisted in my swimming despite my doc (ENT and eye) telling me it's not the best exercise. It's tough to run in a pollen-filled world anyway. You need: (1) proper allergy medication (I assume you've seen an ENT doc and have discovered what you're allergic to and have the requisite meds); (2) wear a nose clip if you can (I haven't mastered this yet, but everyone swears by it); (3) use saline sprays or a neti pot after swimming to flush out the irritants and sooth the nasal passages. If it's your eyes that are bothering you, you need to (1) get prescription goggles (they're cheap on line) and try not swimming with your contacts if you have them; (2) rinse your contact lens out immediately after swimming if you can; (3) never overwear your contacts; (4) use tear replacement drops. If you have dry eye, that's another thing. An eye doc will tell you to quit swimming pronto with this condition. (S)he-man and I have battled this problem. I seem to do well with systane and an RX med Restasis. If it's something else, you can PM me. I've been through the ringer with allergies and swimming, so feel your pain! It's very frustrating, I know. I am so glad that people are starting to understand the difference between irratants & allergens. There is no protean in chlorine so it can't be an allergy.

First, you cannot be allergic to chlorine. It is an irritant, not an allergen. Don't know what your particular issue is, but if swimming has been making you sick with sinus infections and whatnot, I fully understand. I have really struggled the last two years with my sinuses and breathing. I have allergies to most of the world and chlorine seems to make it worse. I am also an ex-runner, but have persisted in my swimming despite my doc (ENT and eye) telling me it's not the best exercise. It's tough to run in a pollen-filled world anyway. You need: (1) proper allergy medication (I assume you've seen an ENT doc and have discovered what you're allergic to and have the requisite meds); (2) wear a nose clip if you can (I haven't mastered this yet, but everyone swears by it); (3) use saline sprays or a neti pot after swimming to flush out the irritants and sooth the nasal passages. If it's your eyes that are bothering you, you need to (1) get prescription goggles (they're cheap on line) and try not swimming with your contacts if you have them; (2) rinse your contact lens out immediately after swimming if you can; (3) never overwear your contacts; (4) use tear replacement drops. If you have dry eye, that's another thing. An eye doc will tell you to quit swimming pronto with this condition. (S)he-man and I have battled this problem. I seem to do well with systane and an RX med Restasis. If it's something else, you can PM me. I've been through the ringer with allergies and swimming, so feel your pain! It's very frustrating, I know. I am so glad that people are starting to understand the difference between irratants & allergens. There is no protean in chlorine so it can't be an allergy.