I'm swimming with a new workout group this year, and am thus in a new pool. Something in the water (not necessarily chlorine) is giving my sinuses fits. It takes more than a day to unstuff, during which time sleeping is problematic. I've rather casually tried decongestant (currently only Sudafed PE) and antihistamines (Claritin) and my trusty neti pot. The neti pot doesn't help a lot if your sinuses are completely clogged though.
I'm skeptical that it's chlorine causing problems mostly because I swam in an older pool last season which had higher chlorine levels with no problem (at least by how long the chlorine smell lingered on my skin).
I realize that chlorine is an irritant, not an allergen, so maybe antihistamines or decongestants won't be all that effective. Is there a nose clip in my future? Anybody using a nose clip strictly to keep chemicals out of your nose and sinuses?
Thx,
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I have been using a nose clip for 2 or 3 years now. I has solved all runny nose/post nasal drip problems as well as dry smokers cough. I hated using it for about the first year, but it was worth it. I started with the synchro style wire clip because it was more comfortable, but it tends to loosen up. Now I like the Tyr. The Speedo is too tight for my nose. I use it in all races and it stays on during the dive. Sunscreen makes it slip off. In workouts, I slide it off if there is enough rest time for better breathing. Once you get used to it, if you swim without it you discover how much water really flows through your head. I found it distracting during a race. I guess I forgot how to blow out in a flip turn.
I have been using a nose clip for 2 or 3 years now. I has solved all runny nose/post nasal drip problems as well as dry smokers cough. I hated using it for about the first year, but it was worth it. I started with the synchro style wire clip because it was more comfortable, but it tends to loosen up. Now I like the Tyr. The Speedo is too tight for my nose. I use it in all races and it stays on during the dive. Sunscreen makes it slip off. In workouts, I slide it off if there is enough rest time for better breathing. Once you get used to it, if you swim without it you discover how much water really flows through your head. I found it distracting during a race. I guess I forgot how to blow out in a flip turn.
