Ear infections are one of the leading reasons for doctor visits among children, and during the summer there is one type of infection in particular that accounts for a majority of the cases – swimmer’s ear. In fact, more than 40 percent of swimmer’s ear cases occur during the summer months.
Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear canal. While a regular ear infection affects the middle of the ear, swimmer’s ear develops when bacteria grow in the passageway from the outside of the head to the ear drum. It usually occurs when excess moisture is trapped in the ear canal for an extended period of time and creates a breeding ground for germs to grow and infect the skin.
What does it feel like?
The most common and obvious sign of swimmer’s ear is ear pain. When you have an infection, even just touching the outside of the ear can be painful. Your ear may also be itchy and it can be hard to hear due to swelling.
The longer swimmer’s ear goes untreated, the more painful it can become. While symptoms are usually mild at first, doctors can classify them as moderate or advanced if the infection spreads or isn’t treated.
- Mild: Itching in your ear canal; slight redness inside the ear; mild discomfort
- Moderate: Intense itching; increasing pain; excessive fluid drainage
- Advanced: Severe pain that may extend to face or neck; complete blockage of ear canal; fever
How can I treat and prevent it?
Over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help mitigate your child’s pain until he sees a doctor.
Swimmer’s ear is often treated with antibiotics in either pill or ear drop form. If the swelling of the ear canal makes it difficult to give the drops to your child, the doctor may use a wick to decrease swelling and help carry the medicine into the ear. In some cases, the doctor may also need to remove pus from the ear with a suction or a gentle cleaning.
The key to avoiding swimmer’s ear is getting rid of that surplus of water as soon as you feel it. Several other actions to help prevent future episodes include:
- Avoid scratching the ears or inserting cotton swabs or other objects in ears.
- Dry ears well after getting wet.
- Don’t swim in polluted water.
- Insert drops, 70 percent alcohol solution or a mixture of one-half alcohol, one-half white vinegar, after swimming.
The biggest question you’ll probably hear from your kiddies is “When will it be OK to swim again?”
Although the general range is 7-10 days, the exact number of days depends on your child’s case. It’s important for the ear to remain dry during the antibiotic treatment, as well as several days afterward. It’s always best to consult your doctor for approval to swim again.
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