Q. Can swimming cause sinusitis?

A. Yes! Swimming in chlorinated water or water purified with chemicals can predispose you to sinusitis.

Q. How do pool chemicals affect my sinuses?

Q. There are various disorders that swimming in chlorinated or dirty water can cause:

• Dirty water may cause one to contract deadly diseases such as cholera which may affect not only the swimmer but also the people that he/she lives with.
• Highly chlorinated pools or pools containing large amounts of chemicals can cause damage to the delicate mucus membrane linings of the nose. This damage may lead one to contract sinusitis.

Q. Pool chemicals can cause a great deal of health disorders, including:

A.

• Drying up your skin
• Drying up and irritating your sinuses
• Drying and burning your hair
• Irritating your eyes
• Irritating your ears

In attempt to purify their pool water, most people usually chlorinate their pools to keep the water healthy and germ free. This is good, but often swimming in chlorinated water may cause sinus or ear infections.

When chlorinated water enters the ear or the sinus cavity, the chlorine begins to engorge your mucus membranes. When engorged, your mucus membrane can easily be invaded by viruses or bacteria. Besides bacterial invasion, your sinus linings may also become swollen and obstruct the ostium (small opening leading into the upper area of the nasal passage).