Sharing from Debbie Keller:
"My son recently got a salt water pool installed outdoors. My daughter in law and two grandsons all three have sinus infections. Is this due to the salt water pool? Also how to you avoid this occurrence?"
In fact, pool swimming does increase the risk of getting sinus problems.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi in pool water can enter the nasal passages, which can lead to inflammation and cause infections. The other more common cause of sinus problems is
the chlorine in pools. It can cause inflammation in the lining of the sinuses, which is called sinusitis, as well as inflammation in the lining of the nasal passages, which is called rhinitis.
When chlorine and chemicals in the pool irritate the nose, mucus becomes thick and the sinuses become plugged which will cause sinus infections because the blockage
prevents the clearance of viruses and bacteria that have entered the nasal cavities.
How to avoid sinus problems while enjoy pool swimming:
- Use of nose clips. They can prevent the chlorine in the pool water from entering your nose.
- Use of a saline spray or saline nasal irrigation system after swimming. Saline irrigation can clear your nose and sinuses of pool chemicals and irritants, as well as mucus that may have built up during your swim.
If you are seriously afflicted, you may need to find a pool that
does not use chlorine as a disinfectant. Try
swimming in the ocean if possible because the salt water acts as a natural saline irrigation which can help your sinuses.
We are sincerely grateful for Barbara Waters' sharing story! We hope all the questions you raised and stories you shared could make a difference to those who are suffering from it. All your kind sharing or questioning is welcomed. Once again, HTQ is always available as long as you need us.
