Saltwater mouth swelling
From Openwaterpedia
The salt tongue of Sarah Thomas after her unprecedented two-way crossing of the North Channel in 21 hours 48 minutes on 9-10 July 2022
The physiology of saltwater mouth swelling in open water swimmers
noun - Saltwater mouth swelling is the swelling of the mouth tissues, including the lips, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks, that can be caused by various factors and is often accompanied by pain or discomfort or inability to swallow normally due to prolonged periods of swimming.
Physiological Results
Saltwater mouth swelling can progress to the point where eating, drinking, and swallowing becomes painful or impossible.
Possible Solution
- Rinse mouth with warm salt water can help reduce this swelling, alleviate pain, and promote healing, due to its natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Rinse mouth periodically with fresh water.
- Rinse with cold water or ice slurry to reduce inflammation.
Usage
Many ocean swimmers experience saltwater mouth swelling after swimming for over 12 hours.
