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 also use a nose clip, started to be able to swim underwater on my back further, the unexpected benefit was how much better my sinuses felt after swimming. I also compete backstroke events with the nose clip with no problems. It did take me a little bit of time to adjust my breathing, I didn't like it at first but now I am a complete convert. I probably have the clip on at practice about 60% of the time, mostly if I am doing backstroke. Just to give the nares a little recovery time! I like the smaller metal/rubber covered clips from TYR or Speedo. The plastic ones don't adjust well and break.
I also use a nose clip, started to be able to swim underwater on my back further, the unexpected benefit was how much better my sinuses felt after swimming. I also compete backstroke events with the nose clip with no problems. It did take me a little bit of time to adjust my breathing, I didn't like it at first but now I am a complete convert. I probably have the clip on at practice about 60% of the time, mostly if I am doing backstroke. Just to give the nares a little recovery time! I like the smaller metal/rubber covered clips from TYR or Speedo. The plastic ones don't adjust well and break.
