When I run, so does my nose

suremeansyes
suremeansyes Posts: 962 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have exercise induced asthma, I use one puff of ProAir before I run or do my 1hr training session. If I don't, not only does my nose run, but I have gross coughing fits for an hour afterwards.

Anyone else have a problem with a runny nose? It is kind of annoying because I am trying to work on breathing through my nose...in is okay, but out is...wet.

I -was- a mouth breather while running (I think it's because I was a swimmer in HS, lots of mouth breathing), but it really was diminishing what I could accomplish because it would set off side stitches and exacerbate my asthma.

Replies

  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    OMG yes! I don't have asthma but mine does run when I run (lol). I wear an arm band to wipe it on. Ewww.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Mine runs if it's cold, but indoor running doesn't bug me. Probably a mix of hard breathing and cold air.
  • hannamarie88
    hannamarie88 Posts: 231 Member
    Yep yep. I also have sports/exercise induced asthma and a runny nose. Since I started actually taking my allergy pills like I am supposed to be doing, the runniness is less. But I still have to wipe my nose a lot - especially on outside/cold runs. If someone has found a solution I would love to hear it, it's a gross effect.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    There's a reason my gloves end up in the wash after each run.......
  • timeasterday
    timeasterday Posts: 1,368 Member
    Yep, me too! Doesn't matter if it's cold or warm but it's worse when cold. I always carry a small hand towel.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Take one finger, close off one nostril, blow. Repeat on other side.

    When I first started running, many, many years ago I was a little self conscious about doing this, but after awhile my only concern was to make sure no one was in the direction of the spray.
  • sassyjae21
    sassyjae21 Posts: 1,217 Member
    I have that + Exercise induced Anaphylaxis. It's dangerous, scary, and a big pain in the hoohaa
  • hdesandre
    hdesandre Posts: 3
    I always tuck 2 tissues in my waistband. I think it's just a fact of life. Definitely worse in the winter, and outside.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    I -was- a mouth breather while running (I think it's because I was a swimmer in HS, lots of mouth breathing), but it really was diminishing what I could accomplish because it would set off side stitches and exacerbate my asthma.

    Have you tried wearing nasal strips?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Exercise induced Rhinitis is pretty common but not well understood. Generally people experience it more when they exercise outside and many researchers believe it is linked to nitrogen dioxide in the air from car exhaust.
  • suremeansyes
    suremeansyes Posts: 962 Member
    Alright, so looks like I'll find something to tie/wrap around my wrist to wipe my nose.

    Not quite ready for snot rockets here. lol
  • suremeansyes
    suremeansyes Posts: 962 Member
    @Cherimoose I haven't tried nasal strips, no. Maybe once I increase my mileage to where I am running 3+ miles per outing I could try those.

    @cwolfman13 The car exhaust thing would make sense actually. I live close to LA and by a freeway (or two, or three).
  • MissKim78
    MissKim78 Posts: 426 Member
    I -was- a mouth breather while running (I think it's because I was a swimmer in HS, lots of mouth breathing), but it really was diminishing what I could accomplish because it would set off side stitches and exacerbate my asthma.

    Have you tried wearing nasal strips?

    The nasal strips are more for congestion. They won't really do anything to help with a runny nose.
    I speak from experience. I have asthma and allergies so my nose is always either running or super stuffy! I have kleenex everywhere....pockets, purse, desk, nightstand, car...lol I also take a daily OTC Antihistimine....but my nose will still run somewhat.

    When temps are cool or cold, my nose constantly runs....its so annoying! I don't know of anything that can help....if anyone else does, please let me know too! lol
  • arenad
    arenad Posts: 142 Member
    My husband would go with me some and he thought I was crazy. Glad to find out it's not just me. Lol
  • erockem
    erockem Posts: 278 Member
    Sometimes, I days I know I'm going to have a problem, I take a Benadryl 30-40 minutes prior to workout.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Odds are your nose gets stuffy from other stuff too.
    You might try taking an Allegra, 180mg every morning.
    Works for me most of the time.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    mine too, its gross but I blow alot of snot rockets and do the 5 year old wipe it on your sleeve
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    my running gloves have an absorbent part on them for rubbing my snots on as I run.

    just deal with it.
  • bobbijodmb
    bobbijodmb Posts: 463 Member
    Yeah and I dont think I have asthma but I carry kleenex and have become quite skilled at running my nose and blowing it ha ha
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Your supposed to breathe through your mouth when you run! Unless you are trying to get your heart rate up without going very fast.

    Sorry to hear you are struggling with EIA. I always found that I really had issues when the air quality was iffy. Some days in the summer, when the smog levels were high, I would literally end up lying on the side of the road waiting for my husband to pick me up, because all I could manage was enough air to stay conscious. Blech.

    Anyway, for runners, snot happens. I do the gross 'pinch off one side and snort the other onto the ground' method myself. I had a friend who would keep a kleenex tucked into her sleeve.
  • suremeansyes
    suremeansyes Posts: 962 Member
    Yeah, over the summer it is really bad. If I run early in the morning (or late at night) before it hits 80 I'm okay. Luckily I teach swim lessons all summer, so running doesn't enter the equation often.

    Thanks for the help guys, I assumed other people dealt with it too. It's not so much a big deal, I'm not gonna quit over it or anything, it just does get obnoxious.
  • suremeansyes
    suremeansyes Posts: 962 Member
    @QuietBloom I've been doing a 2 count in through my nose, out through the mouth. I find that it was a bit more difficult at first, but has basically rid me of the side stitches I was getting. My trainer had suggested I try doing more nose breathing while working out to try and lessen the affects from asthma. I've dropped my pace time by a minute in the past few weeks!

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