Blood in mask every dive....

[ScubaScott]

Something is up with my sinuses I think, and I thought I'd throw this out there to see if this is a unique problem.....

Since dive #1 a few years ago, upon ascent, I get blood in my mask. The dive doesn't matter if I'm at 30' or 130'. I'll surface and blood is in my mask, and my sinuses.

While initially it concerned me and everyone who dove with me, but since it was a common occurance, I just dismissed it as "something odd with my sinuses". I never have any pain, dizziness, nausia or any "symptoms" - just blood.

A bit of medical history - I am healthy, fit, and no medical problems. I do have allergies of which I take Claratin from basically May till August. I also pop a sudafed a couple hours before a dive to make sure I'm cleaned out.

I was checked out by my family doctor just this week - from what he could see, all looked fine. He got me an appointement with an ears, eyes, throat specialist - who also happens to be a diver. Problem is, my appointment isn't until late October, as she only comes to town once a month......

Lately, I've been having some troubles equalizing - but not until about the 50' range, which is starting to make me wonder about this a little more seriously.....

Any thoughts or insights?

SS

 

[SueMermaid]

I have a friend that's an instructor who this happens to all the time, also.
It is a bit disconcerting to his buddy if he forgets to mention it pre-dive, but otherwise, it is just the way he is.
Perhaps you are just a bleeder, too.

 

[LVX]

I have this problem as well. I have over 400 dives and it used to be a much more common problem. Now is happens on occassion.

Just as you, I was very concerned when this started happening around dive 250, but it kept happening with little ill effect. I just recently was checked out as a Science Diver (NOAA Physical) and everything came out fine. I even went to an ear, nose, throat MD and nothing. I saw 4 different doctors as part of this physical and told them all the problem and none of them had any advice.

So, I just keep diving. My dive buddy is familar with this so he doesn't freak anymore when we get to the surface or when we are at a deco stop. If I dive with anyone new, then I make sure and let them know.

LVX

 

[BigJetDriver]

SueMermaid once bubbled...
I have a friend that's an instructor who this happens to all the time, also.
It is a bit disconcerting to his buddy if he forgets to mention it pre-dive, but otherwise, it is just the way he is.
Perhaps you are just a bleeder, too.

OOH, AARRGH!! HE'S A RIGHT LITTLE BLEEDER, HE IS!!!!

Seriously, though, we should have a post fairly soon from our own Mad Diving Dentist, Dr. Larry Stein. His knowledge in this arena is quite extensive!

"Standing by for NEWS!"=-)

 

[scubasean]

I've heard that some folks will be too forceful on their nose when equalizing, breaking blood vessels in their nasal cavity, causing a bit o'blood to be there when the dive is over...

Its happened to me that way, but only early on.

 

[ScubaScott]

I knew I couldn't be the only freak out there.....

My main dive buddy has known about this little problem since day one, and I tell all new buddies about it, so they don't freak out when I spit out some blood....

Its just been on my mind lately, for some reason I've been having a hard time clearing at about the 50' range, instead of say the 20-30' range, where most people experience difficulty....

Thanks for the input, hopefully Dr. Stien can rhyme in on this one....

SS

 

[ScubaScott]

scubasean once bubbled...
I've heard that some folks will be too forceful on their nose when equalizing, breaking blood vessels in their nasal cavity, causing a bit o'blood to be there when the dive is over...

Its happened to me that way, but only early on.

SS - thats what my original instructor had told me when I did my OW dives. However, over the years I've learned to equalize by swallowing, or "cracking my jaw" -I don't know how else to describe it - so I'm not even touching my nose anymore, yet, still the same result.....

Ah well,

SS

 

[Doppler]

Impossible to give a definitive answer Scott... get thee to a physician who know her diving related maladies... however, I have heard of this from several people and it comes in various flavors! Mostly colder water but not exclusively.

You may have low-grade sinus infection, which is causing a block or reverse block... does it happen going down or coming up? The sinus cavities, as you know, are very sensitive and well served by capilliaries.

Are you aware of any blocks when diving? Do you sense any tightness in forehead, behind the nose, or in the jaw?


Careful with the meds too matey!

 

[shellbird]

almost every dive - cold water. No pain, equalizing ok. Just bloody mask.

 

[ScubaScott]

Doppler- I have heard of this as well - a thought it applied to me. When I dove in Aruba a couple years ago - this was the ONLY time I never had blood in my mask. However, I was dissapointed when I dove in Florida this past March - water was about 62-64, and I had the blood issue all over again.

Like I said, I've been to the family physician and he said everything looked fine, and I can't get to the specialist until October (were a little shy on specialists up here)

The blood only happens on ascent, but I have no pain or blocks of any kind. No other sypmtoms, just blood....

SS