The dangers of swimming for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a more serious and troublesome symptom of rhinitis. It exists in all age groups and is hereditary. When the disease occurs, it always makes us unable to work normally. In severe cases, it is accompanied by loss of smell! So can patients with allergic rhinitis swim? Below, the editor will take you to understand the dangers of swimming for patients with allergic rhinitis.

Take good protection

Generally speaking, patients with simple allergic rhinitis can swim, but they need protection. Patients with allergic rhinitis who also have sinusitis or acute or chronic otitis media are not suitable for swimming to prevent water from entering the body and aggravating the condition.

Allergic rhinitis is mainly caused by repeated exposure and inhalation of external allergens. Swimming itself has little effect on the disease. The key lies in the quality of the water. The environment of some swimming pools is not very sanitary and the water quality is poor, which may induce the onset of the disease.

For patients with allergic rhinitis, swimming in a natural, clean environment away from bleach can promote blood circulation, improve cardiopulmonary capacity, enhance the body's immunity, and help prevent and treat allergic rhinitis.

Bleaching powder irritates the nose

However, in order to prevent water-borne diseases in swimming pools, swimming pool staff often add disinfectants, commonly known as bleach, into the water. The main ingredient of bleaching powder is sodium hypochlorite, which is a common allergen and may cause certain irritation to the nasal mucosa. Many patients with allergic rhinitis are prone to allergies to sodium hypochlorite, which may cause the onset or aggravation of the disease.

On the other hand, the water in some swimming pools may not be disinfected properly and the water quality may be poor, which can easily irritate the nasal mucosa and induce allergic rhinitis.

Patients with allergic rhinitis can wear a nose clip or nasal plug when swimming and maintain correct posture to prevent water from entering the nasal cavity. After swimming, you can wash your nose with salt water to help reduce the damage to the nasal mucosa caused by chemicals, thereby reducing the residence of allergens in the nasal cavity. You can also frequently massage the Yingxiang point and Bitong point to clear the nasal passages. After swimming, you should rinse and put on clothes in time, and take measures to keep warm to prevent colds.