How can I start swimming again without feeling ill afterwards

[FancyLilacHare]

I really want to start swimming again, I used to really love it but I gave up in covid.

Then when I went back, every single time I went swimming I came down with a cold afterwards. Every single time. I tried different pools and still came down with a cold.

I don't know if I've developed an allergy to chlorine or just that all the pools near me are minging but I tried again the other day after a break of about a year and this time I had a nose clip. Within half a length I had to take it off because I just couldn't swim only breathing through my mouth and I started feeling cold-y as soon as I walked out of the sports centre.

Is there anything I can do to enable me to swim again? I can't hack it with a nose clip. I can't do high impact exercise anymore because my knees are knackered.

Are you sure it’s a cold and not a reaction to chlorine? I had to stop using our local pool because I reacted to the Chlorine, and the effects would last a few days.

Had the same problem since I was a child. Fine in salt water pools but not chlorine. I think it’s sensitivity rather than allergy. Nose clip has been the only solution. Maybe try it again because I struggled with the breathing to start with and thought it was impossible but adapted and am back swimming twice a week

Could be the chlorine, why not just take a couple of antihistamine before you swim?

It feels like a cold, but I think it can't possibly be because it's just too much to have a cold every single time you go swimming. A friend of mine said that they just put too much chlorine in to keep the pool really clean and that might be why I could swim for years without it affecting me that I can't anymore.

I'm wondering if there's some kind of scuba mask that might work, I'd look a dick in the swimming pool but I don't care as long as I could swim.

Is there an open water swimming venue nearby? Autumn is the best season as the water is still mild and tends to be around the air temperature so there's least difference to adjust to.

Have you tried using a salt water nasil spray after swimming

Open water swimming,

most areas of the country have venues now.

try https://nowca.org/

you’ll want a wetsuit as it gets colder.

I drive a bit further away to a (heated) open air pool.

It's a million times nicer than the local sports centre, showers are wonderfully hot after and it's pretty empty when I go so I get uninterrupted swimming.

I do have a towelling robe as well as a towel to put on straight after plus a dri robe type jacket for when it gets REALLY cold!

Try a private members pool rather than a local leisure centre? I got to a Bannatyne and the water seems much nicer and less 'harsh' on the chemicals. Buy a day pass (they sometimes give them for free if you're thinking of joining) and see how you get on.

I agree it’s likely to be the chlorine that is triggering you, rather than you getting a viral infection each time you use the pool.

We have our own pool and DH would get like this after using it, but nobody else did. I spoke to the servicing company and they changed the products they were using and he has been fine since.

Can you try a range of different pools to see if there is one that doesn’t trigger you? Such a shame to have to give it up if you enjoy it.

Antihistamine and nose clip. Or find a chlorine free pool.

I swim in a lake all year round, no chemicals at all! Although does tend to get rather chilly, I’ve never felt ill or like I was coming down with a cold afterwards. Also think it weirdly boosts my immune system as I hardly ever ever get coughs/colds etc.
Worth a try maybe?!