Swimmer’s Ear
How to control children’s ear infection
Swimmer's ear is also called "Otitis Externa" or an "outer ear infection." It is an infection of the outer ear canal. What causes it?
The infection is caused by bacteria or fungi. Water often contain bacteria. After swimming, water stays in the ear for some times. Bacteria may start growing there and cause infections. Bacteria are most likely to be found in rivers, lakes and ponds. Swimming pools can also cause infection. The chlorine can dry out the skin. It is most common in the summer (when children swim the most). Who can get it?
It is most common in children and young adults who swim or dive a lot. Children who have stuck something in the ear, possibly cutting or scratching it, are more likely to get an ear infection. Children who have ears with dry skin or lots of wax in their ears are more likely to get an infection. What are the signs and symptoms?
The first symptom is often an itching in the ear. The ear may feel plugged. The most common symptom is ear ache. The pain often gets worse when the outer part of the ear or earlobe is touched. Pus, a greenish-yellow fluid, may drain from the ear. There may be some hearing loss. Children may have a fever. Neck glands may become swollen. Is it contagious?
No. It is not contagious. How is it treated?
If your child has symptoms of an ear infection, take him/her to a doctor or ENT specialist. The Doctor will look in ear canal and remove any drainage or pus. Your doctor will check your eardrum to make sure there is no other infection. The doctor may prescribe eardrops. Have your child tilt his/her head to the side so her infected ear is facing up. Put in the drops. If the doctor prescribes oral antibiotics, have your child take them as long as advised, even if his/her symptoms start to get better before the medicine is gone. Putting a warm cloth or heating pad against his/her ear may help ease pain. While you child has the infection, keep water, soap, shampoo and other irritating items out of his/her ear. Your Child may need to use a shower cap or earplugs. Avoid swimming for two weeks after the infection is gone. If your child swims sooner than that, use tightly fitting earplugs. How long does it last?
Pain may last or even increase for the first 12 to 24 hours after treatment begins. With treatment, the pain usually goes away in 3 to 4 days. The infection is usually gone after two weeks. Can it be prevented?
Never stick objects in the ear (such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, or pencils), even to try to clean it. The objects may scratch the skin and open it up for infection. Keep the ears clean and dry. Put petroleum jelly on pieces of cotton to use as earplugs for swimming or showering. To dry out the ears, put rubbing alcohol on a piece of cotton and place it in the ear. You can also dry the ears out with eardrops from a drug store. Children who have ears with dry skin or lots of wax in their ears may need to get their ears cleaned out by a doctor. Do this every year before swimming season. When should you visit a doctor?
- Visit the doctor if your child still has symptoms of an ear infection after two weeks of treatment.
- Visit the doctor if your child has any hearing loss.
- Visit the doctor if fluid drains from the ear, especially if it is thick, a strange color, bloody, or if it smells bad.
- Visit the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment or condition. The writer is a Staff Scientist of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. E-mail: zmridha@yahoo.com
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments