Question:
My daughter often gets ear infections in the summer and I was wondering if it had to do with swimmers ear? Is there something that can prevent it as she cries at night with pain? It is the summer and they love to swim.
Answer: Dear Mum,
Thank you for this timely question. Summer is surely in full swing and the children are having a wonderful time having fun in the pool and out there in the sea. These kiddies are chilling out in this heat!
What would life be if there wasn't some little inconvenience to spoil the fun? It would be too good to be true!. So, we have the outer ear infection also known as swimmer's ear or Otitis Externa - the infection and inflammation of the outer ear.
Infections of the outer ear are caused by bacteria or fungi found mainly in Ocean water or in poorly maintained swimming pools. Inadequate chlorination and malfunctioning pool pumps help the pool bacteria and fungi to survive and multiply. Also involved are bacteria which are normally found on our skin. Too much chlorine in pool water and increased wetness inside the ears can cause damage to the delicate lining of the outer ear. This damage helps bacteria from the skin to also cause infections.
Outer ear infections cause pain especially when the child sleeps on the affected ear. This pain worsens when the ear lobe is touched or moved. Often enough, pus is found to be oozing out of the infected ear.
For some unknown reason, swimmer's ears are common in preschool and primary school children. They are rarely seen in small infants. It's possibly because the older children spend more time swimming in and under water.
I believe that "swimmer's ears" can usually be prevented by the proper maintenance of pools and by the regular clearing of water from ears during and after swimming. It is a good idea to advise the children to take a break from the water every half hour or so, and try to clear the water from their ears. Drying the outer part of the ear canal with a towel is also helpful. "Swimmer's Ear Drops" help evaporate some of the left over water from ears. A few ear drops of rubbing alcohol have the same effect.
If you suspect that your child has swimmer's ear, you may first try putting a few drops of white vinegar as a home remedy along with some Calpol or Motrin by mouth, for pain relief. Young children need a good deal of consoling when they are in pain, and mothers are normally very good at this.
If the pain is not controlled within a day or two, or if the pain gets worse, I recommend that your child see a paediatrician. One might need to confirm that the problem is really in the outer ear and not somewhere else. If the outer ear infection is confirmed, the pediatrician is most likely to recommend some ear drops containing an antibiotic and a steroid for a few days. Remember to prevent the drops from running out of the ear when the child tosses and turns during sleep. A cotton plug is the best way to do that.
Finally, there are two important points I would like to make with regard to swimming: The importance of sun block, and that NO child should be left in the swimming pool or sea water without the supervision of an adult who can swim.
n The preceding article is for general information purposes only. This information should not be considered a substitute for consultation with your child's pediatrician. You may wish to email your comments to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
José Colaço, MD
Pediatrics & Primary Care
July 27, 2005
