# A question for runners and/or immunologists

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-runners-and-or-immunologists/46056>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 17, 2000, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-runners-and-or-immunologists/46056 "2000-12-17T20:54:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Stylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stylus)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-runners-and-or-immunologists/46056/1 "2000-12-17T20:54:03Z")

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I’ve recently been running to get into shape. I reside in the Bay Area. After my run, I’ll cool down by walking about 1/4 to 1/2 mile. During this cool down, my nasopharynx begins to burn and feel irritated. About 10 minutes later my nose begins to itch really bad, and I’ll start sneezing (the same sneezes I get when my allergies act up). So after my run, which is supposed to make me feel better, I end up feeling worse.

I thought it might be due to a lower humidity drying my nose out, as I breath hard. I used to run in Florida but never displayed these symptoms. Also because I am breathing harder, maybe I’m inhaling a greater amount of allergens. Or maybe I just have to pay my dues.

So are there any Bay Area runners that have felt these symptoms? Any immunologists have any patients present with these symptoms?

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**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-runners-and-or-immunologists/46056/2 "2000-12-17T21:21:06Z")

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I don’t have a quick answer, but here’s some stuff to look at.  
[http://www.css.edu/users/tboone2/asep/jan9.htm](http://www.css.edu/users/tboone2/asep/jan9.htm)

> [@](#):
>
> Exercise is accompanied by hormonal and immunological changes that are associated with psychological stress… Similarly, prolonged exercise results in an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). High intensity, long endurance exercise such as marathon running has been shown to suppress immune function…

Your lungs and physical exercise.  
[http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/ers-mrs082400.html](http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/ers-mrs082400.html)

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-runners-and-or-immunologists/46056/3 "2000-12-17T21:51:20Z")

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Those links cover vitamin C vis a vis exercise and exercise induced asthma, but are not particulary relevant to the post. I want to warn you I’m not an immunologist, but I have done a lot of running. You say that you have allergies. What are you allergic to? It sounds from your description, but I am not a doctor, that you’re suffering from some allergen in your cool down, or possibly even the running route. What trees are seeding there now? Perhaps you are allergic to some kind of pollen.

It sure sounds like an allergic reaction and perhaps one of the medical doctors on the SDMB can confirm that. If so, note the trees, and other plants, that you pass for possible pollen. It may be some other allergen, but it sounds like pollen to me.