Diving with allergies

[lorien]

I myself have allergies pretty much non-stop. I am never far from a box of tissues and my nose is soemwhat congested and runs year round. I was very concerned when I first signed up for my O/W class that I might have troulbe equalizing due to my sinus problems. I did try a little Afrin when I first got into the pool but I have another condition that precludes my using that or any other meds to try to resolve the problem. I just live with it but when I am going to dive I use a warm salt water to flush out my sinuses and it works well and, so far (knock on wood) I have never had a problem clearing when diving. Basically I just take some salt and add to warm water and use a bulb syringe to flush out my sinuses, easy and cheaper than buying premade solutions, etc. Also works well for helping fight sinus infections & allergy symptoms.

 

[jroy017]

I have the same situation never ever far from the kleenex box but as soon as i hit the water the allergies are gone !

Nearly all allergy medicines are vasoconstrictors so that addsd to risk of DCS something to consider ! The irigation with a mild salt water solution is the best thing around in my opinion !

 

[Ishie]

I have allergies too, and don't have problems. The worst thing I've really encountered is that with a perpetually runny nose, you can come up a bit snotty, but eh, it's a trade-off. I've used sudafed mainly for comfort. If I have a true blockage going on (like a bad head cold), I won't go. ONE time, as I was coming up, though I didn't have any pain at all, I heard a little honking in one ear, so slowed my ascent more, and didn't hear it again.

 

[doctormike]

I have the same situation never ever far from the kleenex box but as soon as i hit the water the allergies are gone !

Nearly all allergy medicines are vasoconstrictors so that addsd to risk of DCS something to consider ! The irigation with a mild salt water solution is the best thing around in my opinion !

Actually, the only allergy meds that are vasoconstrictors which would lead to a theorectical increase in the DCS rate are the systemic decongestants (like sudafed, etc..). Things like Afrin are also vasoconstrictors, but without as much of a systemic effect, and work mainly in the nose. Antihistamines, Singulair, and nasal steroids aren't vasoconstrictors.

The irrigation kits are pretty convenient, though. About $10 for an irrigation bottle and a month's supply of the packets (which are good for travel). The solution shouldn't be just salt water- here is what I recommend if you want to mix it up yourself:

Irrigation Solution

1 quart glass jar
1 quart of boiled tap or bottled water
2 to 3 heaping teaspoons of Kosher salt (Kosher salt has no iodine added, less irritating)
1 rounded teaspoon baking soda


Wash, rinse and fill the jar with boiled water
Add salt and baking soda
Store in refrigerator and mix fresh batch weekly
Stir or shake before each use, warm to room temperature


If the mixture is too strong, try reducing the salt content, then slowly work up to full strength
If your nose is dry, add 1 tablespoon of corn syrup to the mix

 

[BabyDuck]

wow, thanks for the recipe, mike. do you have one for after-dive ear drops? the ones i have access to now make me smell like a salad, not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

[mwpowell]

I've got bad allergies, but find significant relief with Allegra D and Nasalcort. I don't go diving without them.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[doctormike]

wow, thanks for the recipe, mike. do you have one for after-dive ear drops? the ones i have access to now make me smell like a salad, not that there's anything wrong with that...

A light vinagrette smell isn't bad, but if your ears start to smell like blue cheese dressing, see a doctor..!

I usually say that it is best to avoid putting anything in the ear unless absolutely necessary.. some of those commercial soultions can cause irritation, drying, even allergic reactions. If you really need to dry your ears after water exposure, a hair dryer is a nice way of doing it (careful, not too hot!).

Another trick is to use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. The alcohol in the solution dries the ear while the vinegar keeps the ear pH fairly low (slightly acidic). This low pH makes it hard for the typical bacteria which cause swimmer’s ear to grow. If you find that the ear is getting too dry, you can use less alcohol in the mix. Use an eyedropper to fill the ear canal and let it sit for a minute or two before treating the other side. Don't overuse this either, as it can be irritating. The drops can be used after water exposure or excessive sweating, but no more than twice a day.

 

[BabyDuck]

yep, that's the salad one. i've just heard bad things about ear infections after quarry dives. is that not a reality? if not, then i won't do the salad dressing thing anymore. at least not in my ears...

 

[knotical]

The medical statement used by several training agencies is here:
http://www.wrstc.com/downloads/Medical_Statement.pdf
It requires a doctor’s release for frequent or severe allergies (however, “frequent” and “severe” aren’t defined). A visit to a doctor is always a good idea if there is any question.

Many divers reduce the risk of over-the-counter decongestants wearing off by using the 12-hour variety and diving well within the time limit.

As others have alluded to, the air we breathe underwater is extremely clean and would not be expected to add to allergy symptoms. It might even reduce them.

Hope all goes well.

 

[doctormike]

yep, that's the salad one. i've just heard bad things about ear infections after quarry dives. is that not a reality? if not, then i won't do the salad dressing thing anymore. at least not in my ears...

I'm not positive, but I have always heard that fresh water is more likely to harbor bacteria that could cause swimmer's ear than salt water.

One thing that definitely makes things worse is compulsively removing earwax... remember, it is there for a reason! It protects the canal wall skin from infection. Too much earwax can cause water to be retained, so it might be worth having that gently disimpacted by someone who can see directly what they are doing.