batman diver
Contributor
so i suffer from allergies and this is really killing my diving , iv been on all sorts of stuff for my allergies but they dont seem to work , what have you guys found that works ... maybe i can try mention to my doc ,
What anti-histamine
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Batman, have you tried a sinus rinse? Our ENT folks here swear by them. They use the NeilMed brand but there are others out there. You could try using it 15 minutes or so before your dive and see if it helps. Also, sometimes topical vasoconstrictive nasal sprays like oxymetazoline can be helpful. Those can have a rebound effect, though, so it's best not to use them more than three days in a row.
OP
batman diver
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a sinus rinse , hmmmm not sure what that is ill google it though ha ha , thanks
gert7to3
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One supplier of the sinus rinse is NeilMed: NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Makers of Sinus Rinse, NasaFlo Netipot, Nasal Irrigation
They offer a line of irrigation bottles or nettie (sp?) pots. This stuff has helped me a lot. Besides clearing my sinuses, it irrigates them and makes me used to getting water up my nose. It's a whole lot easier on my system than bottles of pills or sprays.
I even saw one dive master who would snort seawater between dives. This is ok in clean water, but oil sheen from the dive boat's exhaust was just one of my worries.
They offer a line of irrigation bottles or nettie (sp?) pots. This stuff has helped me a lot. Besides clearing my sinuses, it irrigates them and makes me used to getting water up my nose. It's a whole lot easier on my system than bottles of pills or sprays.
I even saw one dive master who would snort seawater between dives. This is ok in clean water, but oil sheen from the dive boat's exhaust was just one of my worries.
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RE nasal rinsing:
Courtesy of the Mar '08 issue of Undercurrent (http://www.undercurrent.org/):
"Shooting Saltwater Up Your Nose
Is your nose stuffed up enough that diving isn't appealing, or even to the point where congestion may dangerously interfere with equalization of the ears?
It may sound a bit zany and gross, but the evidence, both published and anecdotal, largely supports the salubrious effects of saline irrigation on both nasal membrane drying and congestion (e.g., from long airplane flights, breathing hyper-dry scuba gasses and allergens). Such irrigation shrinks the mucus blanket and flushes out the excess, reducing nasal irritation and swelling.
There are scores of salt-based OTC nasal washes on the market such as Sinucleanse, BreathEase and an array of NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Makers of Sinus Rinse, NasaFlo Netipot, Nasal Irrigation products. Many come with a soft syringe. Or you can purchase special tips that attach to oral hygiene devices (e.g., the WaterPik NA-2Gentle Sinus Rinse).
Many divers choose a simple home remedy that is cheaper and works just as well. Boil two cups of tap water for 10 minutes, stir in one teaspoon of salt (refined sea salt is recommended to avoid additives) and one-quarter teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Adding more salt than recommended can do more harm than good, so don't overdo it.
After the brew has cooled to lukewarm, draw it into a clean nasal or ear syringe until full, then lean over the sink, squeeze gently and allow the solution to run through the nasal passages. Alternatively, one can use a Neti pot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. When the liquid has drained, sniff in, spit out, then gently blow your nose. Repeat with the second nostril. Again, don't overdo it - - one or two treatments a day should be sufficient. And go make your next dive. - - Doc Vikingo”
Regards,
DocVikingo
Courtesy of the Mar '08 issue of Undercurrent (http://www.undercurrent.org/):
"Shooting Saltwater Up Your Nose
Is your nose stuffed up enough that diving isn't appealing, or even to the point where congestion may dangerously interfere with equalization of the ears?
It may sound a bit zany and gross, but the evidence, both published and anecdotal, largely supports the salubrious effects of saline irrigation on both nasal membrane drying and congestion (e.g., from long airplane flights, breathing hyper-dry scuba gasses and allergens). Such irrigation shrinks the mucus blanket and flushes out the excess, reducing nasal irritation and swelling.
There are scores of salt-based OTC nasal washes on the market such as Sinucleanse, BreathEase and an array of NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Makers of Sinus Rinse, NasaFlo Netipot, Nasal Irrigation products. Many come with a soft syringe. Or you can purchase special tips that attach to oral hygiene devices (e.g., the WaterPik NA-2Gentle Sinus Rinse).
Many divers choose a simple home remedy that is cheaper and works just as well. Boil two cups of tap water for 10 minutes, stir in one teaspoon of salt (refined sea salt is recommended to avoid additives) and one-quarter teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Adding more salt than recommended can do more harm than good, so don't overdo it.
After the brew has cooled to lukewarm, draw it into a clean nasal or ear syringe until full, then lean over the sink, squeeze gently and allow the solution to run through the nasal passages. Alternatively, one can use a Neti pot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. When the liquid has drained, sniff in, spit out, then gently blow your nose. Repeat with the second nostril. Again, don't overdo it - - one or two treatments a day should be sufficient. And go make your next dive. - - Doc Vikingo”
Regards,
DocVikingo
DevonDiver
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Sinus rinse is a good solution pre-dive. Saline solution is easy to obtain...or, as mentioned can be homemade.
Seawater isn't sterile, but I've used a 'quick snort' at the surface to clear my sinuses when I was really having difficulties with descent. I wouldn't recommend that generally though... I was working at the time and wouldn't do that for 'leisure' dives. There is a risk of infection.
Oxymetazoline can cause hyper-tension...and, as mentioned can cause rebound congestion. It's not recommended for ongoing use. It is an effective short-term measure though. I always keep a bottle of this in my boat/dry bag, with other first aid items. As a working diver, I count it as part of my 'save-a-dive' kit. lol
Not sure what else to recommend, as brands/names are different here. Your doctor can recommend a topical steroid intra-nasal spray.
Seawater isn't sterile, but I've used a 'quick snort' at the surface to clear my sinuses when I was really having difficulties with descent. I wouldn't recommend that generally though... I was working at the time and wouldn't do that for 'leisure' dives. There is a risk of infection.
Oxymetazoline can cause hyper-tension...and, as mentioned can cause rebound congestion. It's not recommended for ongoing use. It is an effective short-term measure though. I always keep a bottle of this in my boat/dry bag, with other first aid items. As a working diver, I count it as part of my 'save-a-dive' kit. lol
Not sure what else to recommend, as brands/names are different here. Your doctor can recommend a topical steroid intra-nasal spray.
dolesorchard
Contributor
I have had severe allergies all my life. I go to an allergy specialist who spent sveral years trying to get me to try a corticosteroid nose spray, such as Flonase or Rhynocort. When I finally tried them, it changed my life. I no longer suffer from allergies at all.
There are a number of approaches to allergies. The first is to try to identify and avoid the triggers. It may not be possible to avoid them, if they are airborne (like pollens) but things like animal dander, cigarette smoke, and dust can be avoided or minimized. It is also possible to be tested and undergo desensitization shots for identified allergens. This is not very effective for asthmatics, but can be quite good for other allergy symptoms.
If avoidance and desensitization don't help, probably the next move is oral, non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin or Allegra. Most people tolerate these drugs well, as compared with the older antihistamine types, like Benadryl or chlorpheneramine maleate preparations.
If oral antihistamines, taken regularly and at the appropriate dose, don't control symptoms, the next step would be intranasal steroids. These can be VERY effective, but do have some potential side effects, like a greater tendency to nosebleeds.
Saline washes are a low-tech, inexpensive way to remove allergens and accumulated secretions, and have the advantage of no real side effects at all.
Topical vasoconstrictors, like oxymetazoline or neosynephrine, relieve congestion by reducing blood flow. They can be so effective that the tissues treated actually become starved for nutrients and oxygen, and thus, when the drug wears off, the swelling becomes worse than it was before. (This is the "rebound" effect mentioned.) They are a short-term, last-ditch recourse, but should not be used regularly or depended upon. (The problems with overuse are sufficiently predictable that they have a name: rhinitis medicamentosa!) Oral decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, can be effective, without a rebound phenomenon -- but of course, anything you take systemically will affect your whole body, rather than just your nose. So such drugs can cause elevated blood pressure and pulse, tremor, and anxiety . . . not great things for a diver!
Finally, there can be anatomic issues that impede sinus drainage or equalization, and some of these can be corrected with surgical procedures. If nothing you are able to do for yourself is helping, consultation with an ENT physician may identify a problem with a remedy.
Hope this information is helpful!
If avoidance and desensitization don't help, probably the next move is oral, non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin or Allegra. Most people tolerate these drugs well, as compared with the older antihistamine types, like Benadryl or chlorpheneramine maleate preparations.
If oral antihistamines, taken regularly and at the appropriate dose, don't control symptoms, the next step would be intranasal steroids. These can be VERY effective, but do have some potential side effects, like a greater tendency to nosebleeds.
Saline washes are a low-tech, inexpensive way to remove allergens and accumulated secretions, and have the advantage of no real side effects at all.
Topical vasoconstrictors, like oxymetazoline or neosynephrine, relieve congestion by reducing blood flow. They can be so effective that the tissues treated actually become starved for nutrients and oxygen, and thus, when the drug wears off, the swelling becomes worse than it was before. (This is the "rebound" effect mentioned.) They are a short-term, last-ditch recourse, but should not be used regularly or depended upon. (The problems with overuse are sufficiently predictable that they have a name: rhinitis medicamentosa!) Oral decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, can be effective, without a rebound phenomenon -- but of course, anything you take systemically will affect your whole body, rather than just your nose. So such drugs can cause elevated blood pressure and pulse, tremor, and anxiety . . . not great things for a diver!
Finally, there can be anatomic issues that impede sinus drainage or equalization, and some of these can be corrected with surgical procedures. If nothing you are able to do for yourself is helping, consultation with an ENT physician may identify a problem with a remedy.
Hope this information is helpful!
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RE rhinitis medicamentosa:
See post #7 in this thread --> http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/231960-ear-drops-help-equalize.html
Regards,
DocVikingo
See post #7 in this thread --> http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/231960-ear-drops-help-equalize.html
Regards,
DocVikingo
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"The origins of nasal irrigation are understood to be in the ancient Hindu practice of Ayurveda whose roots are traced to the Vedas." Nasal irrigation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia My dive bud swears by it. I find a nasal spray of saline solution just as beneficial - and those are sold here ready to use too.
Decongestants and antihistamines are my combination approach, but then I was a farm boy with hay fever so raised on them. Good luck...
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