Sneezing after Running

by S.C.
(El Paso, Texas)

Every time I finish a run, I start sneezing (like a minute straight). For the rest of the day, I will have a runny and stuffy nose and will continue to sneeze.

I've taken allergy, sinus, and cold medications. Everyone said I had to get used to this environment, but I've been here for five months now and I still get sick.

How can I prevent getting sick?



Answer by Dominique:


Thanks for your question about sneezing after your run. That's an interesting situation you have got there.

The first thing I thought about was hayfever, but that would cause sneezing regardless of whether you run or not and I think you have ruled that out by taking all the different types of medications.

One thing is that running and other exercise can cause extra blood flow to mucus membranes in your nose and mouth and that could cause your sneezing. Another thing could be an infection of your sinuses or irritation to your sinus cavities.

From what you are writing it seems like you never used to have this problem until you moved to where you live now. What is so different about this place compared to where you first lived? Is the air a lot drier or are you at a higher altitude? Things like that could affect the airways.

The best thing you can do to get rid of this is to pay a visit to a doctor and work out what this exactly is, there may be a simple solution to this annoying problem!

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Kind regards,
Dominique