Returning from our summer vacation with swimmers ear (also known as otitis externa) is a big fat bummer. As much as the girls love to swim, I’m surprised they’ve never experienced before now. Could it be spending 4-7 consecutive hours in the ocean and/or pool be the cause?
Poor babies. This stuff is painful and extremely disruptive at bedtime. After administering over the counter drops for several days, E was in so much pain we headed to the pediatrician. Luckily it’s not an ear infection, just severely inflamed ear canal aka swimmers ear.
I’d read that a trip to the doctor would most likely result in receiving an antibiotic. Our doctor prescribed an antibiotic/steroid ear drop called Ciprodex. Seems easy enough, right? Apparently the new drops have a side effect of causing a burning sensation for first two days of usage. Rather than providing relief, it required administration of Tylenol every 4-6 hours.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s tips for preventing swimmers ear are relatively simple- keep your ears dry (hello – no kidding), shake your head to remove water from the ear canal (good luck having a 3 and 5 year old do this correctly) and do not swim in dirty water or locations that have been closed because of pollution (yeah – that’s a good call).
an infection of the outer ear canal
I did come across an article on webmed.com that offered this additional recommendation that may have helped us prevent swimmers ear:
- Put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol mixed with an equal amount of white vinegar into the ear after swimming or showering.
- Use nonprescription drops, such as Star-Otic or Swim-Ear, to prevent swimmer’s ear.
- If you use public swimming pools or hot tubs, ask about the chlorine and pH testing of the pool. You are less likely to get swimmer’s ear from facilities that maintain good control of their pool testing and treatment.
The last tip made me realize the girls had been swimming in an above ground pool while in Florida and I’m pretty sure that was the source.
A friend informed me that her son’s swimmers ear turned into a fungal infection while attending camp last summer, requiring a trip to an ENT for treatment. This sent me into a panic because our kids are currently attending the same camp and swimming in that same pool everyday! She had great suggestions to avoid her terrible experience.
Do these things any time your child’s ear may come in contact with water – swimming, bathing and showering.
- Use cotton balls dabbed with a little Vaseline in both ears. The Vaseline keeps the cotton secured and creates a barrier to the ear drum.
- Dry ears with a blow dryer after swimming, bathing and showering. It’s a hassle but the girls said it tickled and it’s well worth it to avoid dealing with an infection.
- Use a swim cap. It seems like a pain but my girls are now not allowed to swim without one for the remainder of the summer.
- Use ear drops to prevent rather than curing (as previously noted above). Add drops to your summer gear checklist.
Has your child experienced swimmers ear? Do you have any tips that worked well to prevent or treat?
