It can be frustrating when summer fun in the pool leads to sinus congestion and discomfort. For some, this can be an unfortunate reality. Let’s explore what a swimmer’s sinus infection is all about and when to seek medical care.
What Are Sinus Infections?
Sinus infections, often called “acute sinusitis” in the medical field, can be bothersome and uncomfortable, as those who’ve experienced them can attest.
Your skull contains multiple chambers, or sinuses, near your nose and eyes. In a sinus infection, bacteria make their way into one or more of these sinuses, causing the space to become congested and infected.
How Can Swimming Lead to Summer Sinus Infections?
Swimming is great exercise and a refreshing way to have fun in the summertime. How could it lead to a health issue like sinusitis?
The water in many pools is treated with chlorine to reduce bacteria and other organisms for health reasons. The chlorine itself, however, can cause irritation within the nose. This can lead to the swelling of nasal tissues and to sinuses becoming congested with mucus that doesn’t drain normally. Bacteria in this mucus can begin to proliferate in the warm, moist environment of congested sinuses, leading to sinusitis.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
How can you tell if you or a loved one has developed a sinus infection? Here are some possible symptoms to watch for:
- Thick yellow or green mucus coming from the nose or dripping down the throat (postnasal drip).
- Pressure and discomfort around your nose, eyes, cheeks, or forehead that worsens when bending over.
- Difficulty breathing through your nose.
- Cough.
- Bad breath.
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
- Fever.
Treating a Summer Sinus Infection: When To Go to Urgent Care
If your symptoms are severe or persist for more than a week, visit urgent care to be assessed by a provider. An experienced healthcare professional can evaluate your symptoms and determine the best treatment to help you heal and recover. If you do have a sinus infection, an antibiotic might be indicated.
Preventing Sinus Infections
To help prevent sinus infections associated with swimming, consider using a sterile saline nasal spray for congested sinuses after swimming. A steroid nasal spray, such as fluticasone, may also help.
Sinus infections can also be precipitated by upper respiratory infections (like a cold) or allergies. Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, and considering allergy medication may help prevent and alleviate sinus issues.
Oxford Urgent Care offers convenient, high-quality medical care for a wide range of non-emergency infections, illnesses, and injuries at our clinic in Oxford, MS.