Otitis in the pools: beware of the swimmer's ear
During the summer, the pools become a kind of oasis in the desert where the whole family can go to cool off before the high temperatures that are endured during this time of year. And, who does not like to take a dip and have fun in the water? Of course the little ones of the house will not think about it when they are suggested to go to the pool, but we must take measures to prevent the otitis in the pools, also known as swimmer's ear.
However, it is necessary to be careful with the visits to the pool since this room can become a bad scenario where some injuries occur. One of them is the swimmer's ear, a very common otitis during the summer months and related to swimming pools. Therefore, the Spanish Pediatric Association, AEP, warns of the risks of water for hearing in summer.
What is the swimmer's ear?
To better understand how to combat this condition it is best to understand what it is and why the swimmer's ear is produced. As we said before it is about a type of otitis, that is, an inflammation of the auditory canals. The AEP states that unlike other otitis such as that produced with colds, it is related to swimming pools in another region of the ear.
Spanish pediatricians say that it occurs more in children than in adults and the fact that cases increase in summer has a simple answer: its origin is related to the time that this body spends more time in the water than at other times of the year . The fact that the ear receives more moisture causes the ear canals to become irritated and may even cause injuries and make it easier for the child to get infections.
How to detect otitis or swimmer's ear?
The AEP notes that this otitis It can start with a simple ear itching or ear canal. The most normal thing is that after this stinging sensation, the main symptom is the earache, which can be very intense. These pains get worse when the ear is pulled, chewed or pressed to plug the ear.
There is also the possibility that the ear canal becomes red and swollen, or that the lymph nodes in front of this canal grow and ache. This swelling can cause the child to have the sensation of having his ear covered and of not hearing well; in fact, the orifice of this canal can be made smaller, causing a temporary deafness in the child.
Sometimes the ear can generate a liquid that at first is usually a light color and then becomes a dense, yellowish substance similar to pus. The AEP also notes that the swimmer's ear does not usually cause a fever and is not contagious, so except for the treatment to be followed, children who suffer from this otitis can relate to people without fear of transmitting their condition.
Treatment for otitis of pools
The most common is that the otorrinos prescribe ear drops that may be composed of antibiotics or can carry corticosteroids to reduce swelling of the ear canal. However, it is also possible that in cases where more serious infections are present, it is necessary to take antibiotics orally. To relieve pain there is the possibility of using painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Once the treatment starts, the children begin to improve in one or two days. Otitis externa usually heals in a few days. Of course, while the treatment lasts it is important that no water enters the child's ears. The most convenient in these cases is to use plugs or a bathing cap.
Although as in other conditions the best treatment is prevention, so that the appearance of the swimmer's ear can be avoided in the following ways:
1. After leaving the water, children should carefully dry their ears using a towel, and tilt their head to both sides to facilitate the release of water.
2. Plugs may be used as a preventive measure if the child is prone to otitis.
Damián Montero
