Post-race Allergies?

That did happen to me once. I remember it distinctly because I rarely have allergy issues, and it was unbelievably bad - i.e., I was virtually incapacitated from sneezing, dripping, etc. It started about 45-60 minutes after an extended exposure to a freshwater lake (3 races over 4 hours or so). As soon as I got home I popped an antihistamine and took a nap. When I woke up, it was gone. One of the strangest medical experiences I've had. I've done a bunch of freshwater swims since then with no particular reaction. It's a mystery.

That's what it's like--except try two or three days. And every race. I can't figure it out because it's not like I am sucking down water. I did, however, find a hilarious video about the neti pot, and that may have made all the allergies worthwhile! YouTube- The Neti Pot (Have You Ever Rocked It)

This happens to me whenever I do a lake or ocean swim. I just did the fabulous race in Noblesville, IN and had it happen again. No idea why, but took a Benedryl and I was fine. Go figure.

We swam Kingdom too...and my girlfriend sneezed all night and into Sunday. That used to happen to me after every pool and open water race (but I found out I had nasal polyps). My surgery took care of this problem. We have similar allergy problems here at Walden Pond too.

Oddly enough, I had an appointment with a new allergist today. He basically said I am "highly allergic" to just about everything. I think it is the layer of whatever is on the surface of the water. I've never thought about the nose clip, I think because it reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live sketch with Martin Short and Harry Shearer playing the brothers who do synchronized swimming. At this point, I think the looking silly would be worth it! I've never thought about the PH level. Interesting... And Dave, I will confess that I thought of you several times on Saturday--thinking to myself, "just shut it and swim. At least you don't have ten hours left to go..." It was a great race again, and we were so lucky with the conditions, especially when I looked out at the wind the next morning. Still, around that 8-mile mark, it starts to feel like the damn swim will never end. That final peak looks farther and farther away. We also went to peak at Lake Willoughby and that was beautiful. Really made me look forward to that swim in a few weeks. Can you make it for that one? Swimmer Girl-Sorry to hear that your girlfriend was suffering too, but somewhat glad to know that it wasn't just me! Did you do the 10-mile or 3-mile?

And Dave, I will confess that I thought of you several times on Saturday--thinking to myself, "just shut it and swim. At least you don't have ten hours left to go..." It was a great race again, and we were so lucky with the conditions, especially when I looked out at the wind the next morning. Still, around that 8-mile mark, it starts to feel like the damn swim will never end. That final peak looks farther and farther away. We also went to peak at Lake Willoughby and that was beautiful. Really made me look forward to that swim in a few weeks. Can you make it for that one? thanks for thinking of me. clare and i did an alcatraz swim on the 24th. i am going to be in dover from aug 20 - sept 11. i'll be missing a lot of the ny/new england season. i will be at govs island aug 1, the cibbows 5k aug 7, boston light aug 14. cibbows will host the 5k natl champ in 2011, so its a good time to check out the course!

i think there are a few things that can cause "water allergies" and sinus irritations.... pollen; there are days when we can see a dusting of pollen on the lake. post swim sneezing, etc sure to follow. the PH balance of the water can also cause irritation and lead to cold like symptoms. our local lakes have some iron in the water (as the rust like staining of the rocks at water-line imply) i hate to suggest it, but a nose clip might be a way to help avoid direct exposure to your sinuses. clare has been using one when we swim at the lake... i think it helps her. congrats on another fine kingdom swim...., i want to hear about it.

Oddly enough, I had an appointment with a new allergist today. He basically said I am "highly allergic" to just about everything. I think it is the layer of whatever is on the surface of the water. I've never thought about the nose clip, I think because it reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live sketch with Martin Short and Harry Shearer playing the brothers who do synchronized swimming. At this point, I think the looking silly would be worth it! I've never thought about the PH level. Interesting... And Dave, I will confess that I thought of you several times on Saturday--thinking to myself, "just shut it and swim. At least you don't have ten hours left to go..." It was a great race again, and we were so lucky with the conditions, especially when I looked out at the wind the next morning. Still, around that 8-mile mark, it starts to feel like the damn swim will never end. That final peak looks farther and farther away. We also went to peak at Lake Willoughby and that was beautiful. Really made me look forward to that swim in a few weeks. Can you make it for that one? Swimmer Girl-Sorry to hear that your girlfriend was suffering too, but somewhat glad to know that it wasn't just me! Did you do the 10-mile or 3-mile? I just did the 3 Mile! Seemed plenty long to me. I'm finally the sprinter I'd always dreamed of being!:applaud:

A few years ago, after years of lake Michigan swimming, I developed an allergy to the lake. I will get a few days of continual sneezing and a voracious running nose. I do not know exactly what is in the water that I am allergic to, but scratch tests have shown that I am allergic to feathers and some molds, both of which are in the lake. Luckily, I can reduce the symptoms 99% by religiously wearing nose clips, but I am 100% guaranteed to get the reaction if I forget to wear them. Once after a two hour swim, I realized I had not worn the nose clips, so I immediately took Benadryl and did not have a reaction. It is necessary to take the Benedryl right away before the reaction occurs. Once histamine is released, an anti-histamine will not be effective. Another time after swimming 10 minutes, I realized that I had forgotton the clips and got out of the water. I didn't take Benedryl thinking that I would be okay, but I did indeed have three days of misery. Pools do not bother me, but I know someone who is allergic to pool water too, and I think that that may be happening to me. So my recommendation to anyone with this problem is to wear nose clips and make sure that your nose is well sealed. No bubbles should come out when you exhale through the nose. Also keep a supply of Benedryl handy just in case. But beware that Benedryl makes you sleepy and could affect your ability to drive and be productive.

I sneeze for hours non stop every time I swim in a pool, and the same thing happened today after the Diamond Lake swim in Michigan. It's never happened to me after OW before, though my seasonal allergies have been the worst ever this fall.