Frequent swimmers often find themselves with a stuffy nose or worse, a sinus infection after swimming. Depending on the severity of the irritation, it can range anywhere from the sniffles to a few hours to several days of pain and congestion. The condition is common and referred to as swimmer's sinusitis.
Swimmer's Sinusitis
Swimmer's sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages caused by the bacteria and chlorine sometimes found in water. Depending on how irritated the passages become, and how much bacteria may be present, a simple stuffy nose could turn into a sinus infection.
Chlorine Allergy
A true allergy to chlorine is rare, but many people suffer from intolerances to the chemical, according to AllergyReliefExperts.com. A chlorine intolerance can cause eye irritation, dry skin, coughing, sneezing and itching, in addition to a stuffy nose.
Treatments
The best treatment for swimmer's sinusitis is to drink plenty of water because it keeps the nasal mucus thin and allows the sinuses to drain properly, according to AllergyReliefExperts.com. Using nasal sprays and inhaling steam also are helpful methods.
Prevention
To prevent stuffy noses and swimmer's sinusitis, you should wear earplugs and nose plugs so that no water can get into your sinuses. Plugs can be purchased at any drugstore or sports store.
