Alegric to Swimming

TrapperChamonix

Wonder can anyone can help?

I have always enjoyed swimming and have been a fairly competitent breaststroker.
This year I decided to learn to do the crawl properly and have taken a number of lessons. I started in December and my progress has been ok up untill 2 months ago. Since then I have developed a significant reaction to the chlorine in the pool. For at least 2 days after my swim, my sinuses become inflamed and my head congested. I sneeze all the time and my nose runs constantly (so much so it's embarassing).

I have tried nose clips but it doesn't seem to work. Other than give up swimming (a shame after the progress I made) has anyone any suggestions?

hunnymonster

you have two options to avoid chlorine in pools
- Find a pool that uses less (e.g. one that uses ozone)
- go open water swimming.

Hrududu

I get this sometimes. An antihistimine usually sorts me out.

blue banana

I feel your pain.

I take two puffs of Flixonase in each nostril every morning and I take syndol if I get bad headaches, but I don't get the headaches as bad since I started the Flixonase.

TrapperChamonix

Tx everyone for replies.

Just some further info.
Hurdudu: I do take antihistimines but it has limited effect.(Clarytn or Zirtek)
Hunny: I'm very keen on open water swimming and swim in the winter, but to improve my tecnique I need to practice inthe pool. Take your point about getting a pool which doesn't use chlorine, but thats probably a last resource for me (as I've already paid membership for my Gym pool):o.
BB: Whats Flixonase? Is it perscription or available over the counter?


I also have seen some suggestions relating to a nasal wash, ie putting salty warm water up your nose and allowing to drain out. This is sometimes referred to as a netti pot (bizarre I know) and also has some connection to yoga.
I might try this as it may serve to clean the chlorine from the mucous membrane before it gets too inflamed. Plus the Antihistemine Plus anything else I can get.

Does anyone have any opinions as to what nose clips work best. I have a speedo one which is a bit like a clothes peg

muggyog

I have the same problem but not as bad. I spend the whole afternoon after a lunchtime swim sneezing ( who needs snuff ). The saline solution ( pardon the pun ) seems the most sympathetic but I would imagine you would have to do it immediately on getting out of the pool.

Nose clips I have no answer. I tried them too and the ones I got were useless. Michael Palin had more effective ones when he had the chips up his nose!

blue banana

I got my Flixonase on prescription, but I discovered afterwards that it's available over the counter, just different size container.

Rej

I have similar problems to the posters... I get a phlegm-y nose & throat too.
I find that going to the steam room mid session & also at the end of the session helps..