The Snots

[tremtech]

How many of you experience the end of dive runny nose? I cant seem to get away from it . Every time after a dive as soon as I pop the gasket on my veiw finder I get this runny snotty nose that last for about 5 minutes. Depending on who your diving with it can be a little embarrassing( nothing worse than blowing your nose or spitting in the water as people are swimming with you back to your boat). I tried Affrin 12hr before the dive no difference, sudafed 24 hour about 3 hours before a dive no difference. Any advice?

[Charlotte Smith]

Originally Posted by tremtech

How many of you experience the end of dive runny nose? I cant seem to get away from it . Every time after a dive as soon as I pop the gasket on my veiw finder I get this runny snotty nose that last for about 5 minutes. Depending on who your diving with it can be a little embarrassing( nothing worse than blowing your nose or spitting in the water as people are swimming with you back to your boat). I tried Affrin 12hr before the dive no difference, sudafed 24 hour about 3 hours before a dive no difference. Any advice?

I have found that if you want to enjoy scuba diving with allergies (LIKE MINE) it just comes with the territory....I take AlegraD(rx)and it still happens to me a little and it is even worse if you're a woman cause who wants to see a woman doing those things??? It''s not very lady-like but I just go to my husband and ask him to make sure I am not going to be embarrassed when I get out of the water( It has to be love) Then I go straight to my dry bag! I know it sounds awful but the saline rinse before and after you get back from diving helps alot also.

[YellowfinKunkfish]

I take Claritin now, year round, and that seems to help a lot! I have always gotten a runny nose when I swim, esp. in the pool. Don't know why. I've always suspected it might be some sort of allergy to pool chemicals.

[datamunk]

another useful tip is, on your safety stop, take your mask off and blow out all the gunk! wipe it away, clean ur mask etc etc...that should help get rid of a lot of it from when u rip ur mask off etc

[WV Diver]

You never mentioned an allegy. If you are having non allergic rhinitus or even allergy related symptoms see you doc. I know some folks that have used nose sprays prior to a dive that have had good success.

[No Misses]

Due to my mustache, I always have some salt water in my mask. That first dive of the day can really loosen things up. I just use the old "farmers handkerchief" over the side of the boat (close one nostril then blow out the other, repeat as necissary). It's not the most genteel process. But, it works great. My freinds have learned not to give me a hard time about it. Unless they want to be making "Sand Angels" on their next dive

Let's face it, you can't get too hung up on these "natural" things. I don't care if you are a super model. You are still going to pee in your wetsuit from time to time and you will have some snot to deal with. Everybody does.

I can't tell you the number of times that I have made somebody go rinse thier face before telling me about thier dive.

Me: Is that a jellyfish stuck to your face?
Diver: No itssnot

[Charlotte Smith]

Originally Posted by No Misses

Due to my mustache, I always have some salt water in my mask. That first dive of the day can really loosen things up. I just use the old "farmers handkerchief" over the side of the boat (close one nostril then blow out the other, repeat as necissary). It's not the most genteel process. But, it works great. My freinds have learned not to give me a hard time about it. Unless they want to be making "Sand Angels" on their next dive

Let's face it, you can't get too hung up on these "natural" things. I don't care if you are a super model. You are still going to pee in your wetsuit from time to time and you will have some snot to deal with. Everybody does.

I can't tell you the number of times that I have made somebody go rinse thier face before telling me about thier dive.

Me: Is that a jellyfish stuck to your face?
Diver: No itssnot

BAhahahahahahahahahah!Good one and way to handle it like a grown-up! Wish more divers out there had your personality!

[caroln]

It helps a lot to clean out your sinuses pre dive using a saline rinse. A lot of people recommend the neti pot, but anything should do the job. If there's not a lot of crap accumulated in your sinuses predive, there'll be less snot to deal with later. BTW thanks for not blowing snot in the water near where your buddies are swimming. I hate that.

[Tableleg]

You're not the only person this happens to. This happens to a good friend of mine. He just blows as much of it out before he gets out of water, and deals with the rest of it.

[Doghouse]

It has happened to me a lot. Then I went to an ENT over my sinus pain. Found out I have a Deviated Septum (Big Time), and no upper sinuses. Come to find out, the track to breath through is so small that I could not clear my nasil passages. The rinsing helps, soften everything up and clear it out, but if that does not improve, check with an ENT to make sure everything up there is in the proper location.