Q. How can I reduce the chances of getting sinusitis when I swim?

A. Sinusitis-prone people may feel uncomfortable in a chlorinated swimming pool as it could irritate the lining of the nose and sinuses. Exaggerated exposure to chlorinated water may also cause other complications such a swimmer's ear. For sinusitis purposes, you should:

• Swim sparingly or don't swim at all
  There are small tubes (called ostium) that connect your sinus cavities to the nasal passages. When chlorinated water enters the nasal cavity, it irritates the mucus membrane extending to the ostium. If your ostium becomes irritated, pus and mucus may begin to collect in the sinus cavity resulting in a sinus infection.
  
  
• Purify your pool water with other chemicals
  Chlorine tends to kill the germs and bacteria that pollute your water; however it fails to kill the germs that lodge in your mucus membrane and ear canal resulting in ear and sinus infections.
  When chlorinated water enters either your ear canal, nasal cavity or both, it engorges the mucus membrane or skin which lines the ear canal and nasal cavity, opening tiny passageways for infections to enter these delicate organs.
  
  
• After swimming, take hot showers and inhale steam
  Your sinuses function to facilitate proper drainage, give resonance to your voice, and to moisten the air you breathe. When you have sinusitis, all these processes may be slowed down due to the collection of pus and mucus in the sinus cavities. Inhaling steam when showering may help to thin the mucus secretions, thus promoting proper drainage of thick, blocked mucus.
  
  
• Use protective ear appliances when you swim (like ear plugs)
  Waterproof ear protectors come in different forms and shapes, but it is advisable to go for rubber plugs rather than wax plugs. Wax Plugs are sensitive to excessive heat, and are therefore not recommended to use when swimming or doing anything that involves the wax plugs coming into contact with water. They may also melt during hot weather and leave some wax particles in your ears.
  Unlike wax plugs, rubber plugs are easy to insert, do not leave any foreign particles in your ears which may be dangerous and can be washed without any complexities.
  
  
• Avoid improper removal of earwax
  Avoid cotton ear swabs to remove wax in your ears, rather see your otolaryngology specialist or audiologist for proper earwax removal. If you insert foreign objects in your ear for wax removal, you may harm your eardrum or other sensitive areas of the ear. In severe cases; using foreign objects in your ear to remove wax may result in reduced hearing or a complete loss of hearing.

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