Greetings, I just joined this group last night (08/14) due to my latest round of allergy attack prompted by swimming. Briefly, I am 61 yrs old, swam distance, some masters, and college intermurals from age 20 - 40. Around 40 I developed allergy to something in the pool, worked with allergy clinic at Ohio State Medical Center. Doc could not figure it out. Was on med for awhile that worked, but it was taken off the market.
I finally gave up, went to running long distance for the next 21 years. Lately I have been tiring of running, have tried on a few occasions to return to swimming, this past week for example. Mon. 1000 yds, Wed 500 yds, Fri. 1000 yds. Started some sneezing during the week, determined I could beat it this time until Friday night and a huge allergy attack, repeated sneezing, runy nose, burning eyes......and I am about to admit defeat again. It is very unpleasant, very disruptive.
I do not have other allergies. In a regular year I dont even typically get sick, maybe the rare sneezing. Also live with 4 dogs, two of them big GSDs, meaning lots of dog dander. No problem.
Go swimming a few days in a row and it is a disaster, same as 20 years ago when I finally switched to running. I would like to get back to swimming, but.............
There is a lot of insight and experience in this group. Does anyone have any ideas about this, antidotes, medications, techniques to address this problem? Any thoughts will be appreciated. I may return to OSU allergy clinic, see what they will say. Meanwhile, your comments are welcome.
Skip Cornett
Columbus, OH
I suffer terribly from sneezing fits after swimming. It can go on for hours on end. The more I blow my nose, the more I sneeze. I get some relief from rinsing my nose out with warm water from the tap. Using a hair-dryer on the bridge of my nose afterwards helps, too, as does some form of nasal inhaler.
The only thing that is going to help is a nose plug or a cleaner pool.
This works for me (as long as I use it within an hour or so of coming out of the pool): www.unimedprod.com/differences.shtml
It's basically just a plastic bottle and some packets of salt (which keep your sinuses from "burning"), and you use warm tap water to flush your sinuses out. Be careful not to use it before going into a social situation as occasionally your sinuses will drain suddenly when you least expect it.
I suffer terribly from sneezing fits after swimming. It can go on for hours on end. The more I blow my nose, the more I sneeze. I get some relief from rinsing my nose out with warm water from the tap. Using a hair-dryer on the bridge of my nose afterwards helps, too, as does some form of nasal inhaler.
The only thing that is going to help is a nose plug or a cleaner pool.
This works for me (as long as I use it within an hour or so of coming out of the pool): www.unimedprod.com/differences.shtml
It's basically just a plastic bottle and some packets of salt (which keep your sinuses from "burning"), and you use warm tap water to flush your sinuses out. Be careful not to use it before going into a social situation as occasionally your sinuses will drain suddenly when you least expect it.
