puffy eyes after dive - help!

[Trisha]

Well, now I know what sinus squeeze is!
Stabbing pains right behind or between my eyes at about 10ft in the Oklahoma City Community College pool last Tuesday kept me pretty much on the surface, while my husband bubbled below at 18ft. I tried equalizing like crazy and grad-u-al-ly descending, but wound up maintaining at 6-10ft (which is not a bad workout for newbie skills.)
At home my eyes were slightly bloodshot and had major bags beneath them, which could have been the chlorine. Next day my husband took one look and said I had a good start on two shiners.

I know I should have grabbed a kleenex after carting in the gear from the cold, but didn't. And we (the family) have already talked about how repeated ascents/descents make ear squeeze more likely (my husband and daughter both have this problem.) The sinus squeeze didn't kick in until I surfaced because of a flooding mask.
What I want to know is, how can this be prevented or handled onsite?
One of my books recommended equalizing, but the rest just seem to gloss over it with "Tough, don't dive until the allergy/infection goes away."

As always, thanks in advance.

 

[DandyDon]

My Home-Boy Jer had sinus problems and problems equalizing when we did out OW dives nearly 3 years ago. A few weeks later, we dived for practice, and he had no problems getting to 84 feet. After that, I kept diving, and he took up with a girlfriend who kept him distracted.

Prior to us going to Cozumel last week, for his first dives in 2-1/2 years, we discussed preventing this by taking generic Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine HCl or PSE) before diving, and I suggested he try it before we went - to be sure he didn't have any problems with it. He was already using it at times. I use the Actifed brand or a Walmart store brand, both of which also include antihistimines - if I am not diving Nitrox for 12-16 hours in the future.

Additional info: http://www.pharmacyhealth.net/d/pseudoephedrine-hcl-3946.htm

The morning of his first planned dives, I reminded him twice to take his PSE. Then, once we got in, he had hell getting equalized. He finally did get down (it's gets easier as you get down a few feet), we did the dive, then back on the boat - I asked it he took his PSE? "Hell no, you have to remind me three times!" I reminded him constantly the rest of the week...

Yes, it's also good to blow your nose to make sure it's clear before you get in, but you can always do that in the water if needed - more acceptable at sea. Also practice equalizing before you get in, to loosen up the ear tubes. And talk with your instructor about alternate equalizing methods. Some work better than others for some people.

Oh yes, as your skills develop, you;ll be clearing the mask in water, without coming up, and so much more...

good luck, don

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I can tell you from personal experience that forcefully equalizing a sinus isn't a good idea. Skipping a diving day when your sinuses won't clear is a much better option than rupturing one of them, they take a LONG time to heal. Personally I take a 12-hour Sudafed (no antihistamine) if my sinuses are cranky due to our constantly changing Ohio weather but if I'm actually stuffy I don't dive.
Ber :lilbunny: