Sinus pain is a common ailment in swimmers and is due to an inflammation of the lining of your sinuses -- a condition known as sinusitis. The sinuses are a group of hollow cavities in the head proximal to your nose and eye area. They function to filter the air from harmful particles including microbes, allergens or dust as well as keep your nose moist. However, these particles can also be quite irritating to the sinuses, which can lead to facial pain and headache.
Causes
Swimmers are often predisposed to sinusitis for several reasons. One is that bacteria, viruses or fungi present in water can enter the sinuses through the nasal passageway. This typically occurs in pools that are not cleaned or maintained properly. Another reason is that the irritant properties of chlorine can cause inflammation of the lining of the sinuses and nose or rarely an allergic reaction. Inflammation of the lining of the nose, known as rhinitis, is often a contributing factor to sinusitis because it can block mucus and air within the sinuses from flowing outward normally. Pool diving, which pushes water into the nasal passageways and sinuses, can also contribute to sinusitis. For many, symptoms may be a result of one or a combination of several causes.
Studies
A 2009 study published in "Pediatrics" reports that adolescents who spend more than 1,000 hours in chlorinated pools have a 2.2 to 3.5 times greater risk of developing allergic rhinitis than children who swim in non-chlorinated pools. These children were also at greater risk for asthma and hay fever. This study suggests that the amount of exposure to chlorine is directly correlated to the development of allergies such as allergic rhinitis, a known risk factor for sinusitis.
When To See Your Doctor
Contact your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of sinusitis such as facial pain, nasal discharge, nasal stuffiness, cough, sore throat, postnasal drip, fever and fatigue. The exact location of pain may vary according to the sinus cavity affected, but may occur in the forehead, cheeks, between the eyes, neck or ears. Also contact your doctor if you have a cold that persists for longer than seven days. Nasal stuffiness from the common cold is often mistaken for sinusitis, as both can present with similar symptoms. However, symptoms of sinusitis tend to persist for longer than seven to 14 days.
Prevention
If you suffer from chronic sinusitis or recurrent sinus infections, the frequency and/or duration in which you swim may need to be decreased. Also avoid diving into the water, if possible. Saline nose washes may be used after swimming to keep the nose from drying out. Nose clips may be of benefit to swimmers who experience rhinitis from chlorine, according to a 2010 study published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine." The researchers found that nose clips reduced cellular markers of inflammation and nasal resistance in swimmers with non-allergic rhinitis as well as improved nasal symptoms in swimmers with allergic rhinitis.
References
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Sinusitis
- "Pediatrics"; Impact of Chlorinated Swimming Pool Attendance on the Respiratory Health of Adolescents; Alfred Bernard, et al.; October 2009
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis in Swimmers: Clinical and Cytological Aspects; Matteo Gelardi, et al.; June 2010
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