We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Sinus issues after intense outdoor running ???

rumplesnat
rumplesnat Posts: 372
edited January 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey, I'm hoping I can get some insight and relief for this bizarre phenomenon that happens to me after a hard outdoor run.

About 5 minutes after my run, I start sneezing a lot. I then get intense sinus pain and pressure and a runny nose which lasts for at least 24 hours. It's a miserable sinus issue, but no fever, aches, wheezing, headache, or anything else.

A bit more information:

I have run 3 5Ks and it has happened after each one. Two races in cooler fall weather, one in the summer.
On my run today, I challenged myself to run up 2 really steep hills and I'm experiencing this sinus issue now.
I have allergy induced asthma, but show NO signs of asthma during these episodes or while running.
I do HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) running on my treadmill and have never experienced this afterwards.
I take allergy medication daily.
Any other time I run outside, I am fine. They are not as intense runs as the 5K or the crazy hill run I did today, but they are about the same distance (2-3 miles) for 30 minutes or so, yet I have zero issues.

I am really stumped as to why this happens and am bummed out that it has put a real damper on my day and will likely make me miserable tomorrow as well.

OTC sinus meds don't seem to help with relieving the symptoms, either.

Please help!

Replies

  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    Beuller? Beuller??
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    My nose runs like crazy if I bike outside in anything less than 65. If you aren't able to blow your nose enough to get all that cold-air-induced-snot out, I'd see a doctor.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Check both AQI (air quality index) maps and the pollen maps of your area. It's probably one or a mix of those triggering your issue. I have the same problem and it's awful. It doesn't even have to be that high before I get really weak, sick, and wheezy. I start wheezing by the end of my run if not before then. I come in the house afterward and spend the rest of the day struggling to get a deep breath.

    Blasting the AC once you're indoors helps a little.

    Here are two useful map sites, assuming you're in the USA.

    http://airnow.gov/

    http://www.weather.com/maps/activity/allergies/index_large.html
  • prjoy98
    prjoy98 Posts: 250 Member
    OMG I am NOT alone in the world!!!! I have to say been there done that!!!
    I have noticed that what triggers my non-stop sneezing attacks is dry air. However, that doesnt mean that once I come indoors it stops....NOPE...24hrs or long after I am still sneezing. I sneeze to the point that my eyes get watery and I get horrible drowsiness (without taking OTC meds)...IT SUCKS!

    It all started when I lived overseas at 11k ft above sea level..I thought it was the altitude so during one of my trips home I went to my ENT. He diagnosed it as "runner's rhinitis". Some people get runner's asthma and others get THIS! LUCKY ME!
    He suggested taking claritin/alevert a couple hours prior to a run; however, i have noticed that it DOESNT help :grumble:

    During my last episode I inhaled a bit of warm-ish water (havent tried steam) to get my sinuses "moist" again and I must say it helped a bit. I will try more water or steam next time.

    I'm sorry you are experiencing this and trust me I totally know how you feel. :sick:
  • MarineCodie
    MarineCodie Posts: 256 Member
    I know you said OTC meds don't help. Have you tried Zyrtec? I traveled to AZ and my sinuses went CRAZY. I started taking it daily and it worked wonders. I had previously tried Claritin and had no luck. Maybe give a couple others a try? I also got a prescription Flonase (sp?) for when it gets really bad. :)
  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    OMG I am NOT alone in the world!!!! I have to say been there done that!!!
    I have noticed that what triggers my non-stop sneezing attacks is dry air. However, that doesnt mean that once I come indoors it stops....NOPE...24hrs or long after I am still sneezing. I sneeze to the point that my eyes get watery and I get horrible drowsiness (without taking OTC meds)...IT SUCKS!

    It all started when I lived overseas at 11k ft above sea level..I thought it was the altitude so during one of my trips home I went to my ENT. He diagnosed it as "runner's rhinitis". Some people get runner's asthma and others get THIS! LUCKY ME!
    He suggested taking claritin/alevert a couple hours prior to a run; however, i have noticed that it DOESNT help :grumble:

    During my last episode I inhaled a bit of warm-ish water (havent tried steam) to get my sinuses "moist" again and I must say it helped a bit. I will try more water or steam next time.

    I'm sorry you are experiencing this and trust me I totally know how you feel. :sick:

    It's the weirdest thing. I'm *almost* back to normal today, but still having some symptoms. Frustrating.
  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    I know you said OTC meds don't help. Have you tried Zyrtec? I traveled to AZ and my sinuses went CRAZY. I started taking it daily and it worked wonders. I had previously tried Claritin and had no luck. Maybe give a couple others a try? I also got a prescription Flonase (sp?) for when it gets really bad. :)

    I take Claritin and Nasonex daily. :ohwell:
  • tabriya
    tabriya Posts: 1
    I come in from running 4 miles and was desperate to google whats going on with me. As long as I'm running I'm fine but as soon as I stop and come inside my sinuses, teeth and heah hurt so bad. It started 2 weeks ago and have already went to the dr. I get almost better and it's run day again and just tonight connected this. What did you do to fix it?
This discussion has been closed.

Categories