It’s starting to feel a little warm in Texas, and that means it’s swimming season! As your little ones get excited about shooting down the water slide at The CORE, take a little time to learn about how you can protect your child from swimmer’s ear this summer.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal that occurs when water becomes trapped in the ear canal; the trapped water creates a perfect environment for bacteria or fungi to thrive. We call the condition swimmer’s ear because it’s most common in people who spend a lot of time in the water. While anyone can develop swimmer’s ear, kids between the ages of seven and 14 are most likely to be affected.[1]
Signs of swimmer’s ear typically include:
- Ear pain
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Itchiness in the ear
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Redness and swelling in the ear
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
If your child starts displaying the above signs, schedule an appointment with their ENT specialist at ENT for Children.
Treating Swimmer’s Ear
Antibiotic or antifungal eardrops, often prescribed alongside steroid eardrops for inflammation, will clear swimmer’s ear. We may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate any discomfort your child feels.
Preventing Swimmer’s Ear
There’s no 100% foolproof way of stopping swimmer’s ear, but keeping your child’s ears dry and practicing effective ear care can significantly reduce their risk of developing it. Keep the following tips in mind:
- Avoid swimming in untreated water (e.g., lakes, ponds, etc.)
- Don’t attempt to dry their ears with cotton swabs
- Drain water from their ears by tipping their head from one side to the other while tugging on their earlobe
- Use a clean towel and hairdryer on low heat to remove excess water from their ears
- Have them wear earplugs while swimming, especially if they’re prone to repeated ear infections
You may need to help younger children dry their ears, but older children can usually do so effectively on their own; just make sure they know how to do so without damaging their ear canals.
By practicing the above precautions and seeking early treatment if your child develops swimmer’s ear, you can ensure they enjoy every day of their pool-filled summer. For more information on managing or preventing ear infections, contact ENT for Children today.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa): Symptoms & care. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8381-swimmers-ear-otitis-externa