In summer, children bathe in the pool or in the sea to cool off and something quite frequent happens, so much that it has become the unwanted guest of each summer. It occurs especially in young children and is known as swimmer's ear or pool otitis, an infection that causes inflammation of the skin that lines the ear canal, usually caused by bacteria. It can occur in both ears at once or in one.
Factors such as humidity, unsanitary waters or water chlorine can facilitate ear infection, since they protect it against the attack of external infectious agents or the growth of fungi, which are responsible for first colonizing the skin of the ear to subsequently enter the ear canal. What can we do to prevent it?
Symptoms of pool otitis
Being an otitis, the symptoms are the same as otitis that can appear in winter. The main symptom is a strong and annoying pain in the ear which increases when touched. It can start with an itchy sensation, so the baby, if he still can't speak, will pull his ear or cover it, pointing out that it causes pain. You can also notice liquid secretion that at first is usually a light color, but then becomes thicker and yellower like pus.
It does not usually produce fever, but a few tenths may appear. There may be a small temporary hearing loss, which usually does not extend beyond the duration of the infection.
Tips to prevent it
Dry your ears with a towel when you leave the pool or the sea
Do not use cotton buds: these usually push dirt and infectious agents from the ear canal into the ear and cause more serious infections.
Always keep ears clean and dry
Monitor the duration of the bath, which does not extend too much
The use of earplugs is not recommended if the child's ears are healthy, as it could become counterproductive by pushing the earwax into the ear canal and can generate earplugs. Although according to Aeped, the use of plugs may be recommended as a preventive measure when prone to these otitis.
Before an otitis, take the child to the doctor. Most likely, he prescribes topical drops that may contain antibiotics.
Summer is a time of year for our children to enjoy water and good weather, but without forgetting to take all kinds of precautions to avoid possible problems that may prevent us from enjoying more than deserved days of family leisure.
