If you or your child has had recurrent problems with “swimmer’s ear”, you know it’s no fun!
It’s usually caused by a combination of prolonged exposure to heat and moisture – a long swim on a hot day. The best way to deal with it is to prevent it from happening.
Here are four things you can do:
1. Limit the time in the water for the child whose infection keeps coming back. The amount will have to be determined by trial and error but in most cases should be less than 1-2 hours.
2. Let the ears dry completely for an hour or two before going back in the water. If your child is aware of water in the ear, have him or her shake the head to loosen the water and dry the ear with the corner of a towel. It’s okay to take daily showers as long as they are brief and the ears are patted dry.
3. If those measures don’t work, use “Swim-Ear Drops” or make a solution of equal parts water and vinegar or vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Dry the ear with the corner of a towel then put a few (3-5) drops in each ear after each swim. Do this also when your child gets up and at bedtime. Let the solution stay in the ear for at least five minutes each time. Gently moving the ear around will help ear drops move deep into the canal. The child should lie with the affected ear up for five minutes.
4. In any case, do not pick at the ears with a pencil, a bobby pin or any other objects.
If swimmer’s ear occurs…..
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If the ear itches after a long swim or feels as if it is “plugged”, dry it with a small tuft of cotton. The cotton swabs on a stick are too big for this purpose. This may be all that is needed.
If itching and pain develops, see your Pediatrician. Depending on how serious the infection is, he or she may prescribe medication drops or simply have you make a one-to-one mixture of vinegar with either water or rubbing alcohol (put 3-5 drops in the ear).
Kids being treated for swimmer’s ear need not necessarily stay out of the water. They may continue to swim, as long as they come out of the pool periodically to dry their ear and put in extra medication drops. They should give their ear 30-60 minutes before going back in the pool. They should still use the medicated drops as prescribed for 5-7 days or at least until the ear is pain free for 2 days.
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