Bad Bad sinus infection, Now scared of the pool

My guess is the pool did NOT cause the infection...  I have heard of "swimmers" ear, if pool water is allowed to sit in the ear for long periods, but not sinus infections..

But I'm no doctor.  I guess anything is possible.

It's possible, but a bit unlikely. Have you had pool water fill up your sinuses and take a while to drain, or done OWS any time before the infection?

I'd suspect an ill-maintained hot tub long before I'd suspect a pool as a bacteria source.

John 

I had a bad day of dizziness after a swim a few weeks ago.  I swim with ear plugs now and it hasn't recurred. 

Scout

I've had the dizziness happen when I have a sinus infection many times.  I get fluid building up in the eustachian tube and that makes me quite dizzy.

I don't know that I've ever gotten a sinus infection from the pool before.   

Sinus infections suck.

I doubt it was the pool, you probably just aren't 100%. I had some type of virus last year that made swimming a nasty experience for several weeks after my main symptoms disappeared.

But more to the point: get some saline spray (or make your own), and use it (a lot) every time after you swim.

A lot of people have said it's probably not the pool, but then go on to say it could be because of allergies. Well, if you're allergic to chlorine (like I am), it could, in fact, be the pool. Every time I swim, my nose and eyes start itching, my sinuses clog up, and I sneeze like crazy. It can last anywhere from a day or two to a whole week. I would imagine if the congestion was severe enough and did not clear out, you could definitely get a sinus infection.

My reaction is mild enough that I can treat it with OTC and herbals. I also recommend flushing your nose out after you swim. There are those neti pots, and if you simply can't imagine water boarding yourself with one of those, Affrin just came out with a new saline spray. I plan to try that and see if it helps me.

I've had sinus problems since I was a child.  I've been off work the last 2 days with yet another sinus infection.  They're bad enough that I run a fever and severe pressure/pain.  Now I'm on Zithromax.  Last year this time, it took 2 rounds of Z-packs and a round of Levaquin to shake it.  I really hope that's not the case this time.

My doctor says that they're especially common this time of year because of dry air causing the sinus tissue to dry out, forming cracks where bacteria can enter.  I discussed the possibility of the pool causing it, and he thought is was very unlikely.  His suggestion was using a saline nasal spray and a humidifier or vaporizer at home.

I have had sinus problems for as long as I can remember.  It was not uncommon for me to have 2-3 a year for a few years.  I guess what i am getting around to is that I never got one from swimming in a pool.  As others have said I'm not a doctor but but I don't think it is the pool.

30 days of antibiotics?? Wow that must have been a horrible infection!  Glad to hear you are feeling better.

Arrrgh story of my life for the past two months.  I can't wait to move.  Only 6 more months.  Then my head won't feel like a balloon anymore.  Doesn't exactly help training either when your body is constantly trying to fight off infection...

Whenever I have a sinus infection I use Afrin few hours before I swim. That helps me with the dizzyness.

I don't think swimmer's ear can cause sinus infections, since that is an outer ear infection and wouldn't make it past the eardrum to your eustation tubes (then to the sinuses). But the Afrin will also help open those up too.

I also use alcohol in my ears after a swim to prevent swimmer's ear.

I'd say it's a possibility.  A buddy of mine and I were trying flip turns.... you know how that can cause chlorine brain wash if you do them wrong (and we did ).......she came up with a horrible sinus infection just after that.  She has not gone back into the water.

Would a nose plug be too much to wear ?.......  also maybe the ear is in play here like I've read too........ 

Lol. He should be cleared up by now since that post was from 8 years ago.