Why does my child keep getting ear infections after swimming?
Roxane Heaney
2025-06-23 14:27:11
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Swimmer's ear is common in kids who spend a lot of time in the water. Too much moisture in the ear can irritate the skin in the canal, letting bacteria or fungi get in. It happens most often in summertime, when swimming is common. Anything that injures the skin of the ear canal can lead to an infection. Dry skin or eczema, scratching the ear canal, ear cleaning with cotton swabs, or putting things like bobby pins or paper clips into the ear can all increase the risk of otitis externa. And if someone has a middle ear infection, pus collected in the middle ear can drain into the ear canal through a hole in the eardrum and cause it. Using over-the-counter drops of a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol in the ears after swimming can help prevent swimmer's ear, especially in kids who get it a lot. Dry ears after they get wet using a hair dryer on the cool setting.
Maci Wiza
2025-06-15 16:36:48
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: 12
Water can sit in the ear canal and lead to irritation and infection of the outer ear. Kids can: Wear a bathing cap or removable earplugs when they swim to help keep the ear canals dry. Tip their head from side to side after getting wet to let the water drain out and use a towel to dry the ears. Use a hair dryer on a low, cool setting, at least 12 inches away, to dry their ears. If your child's ears still aren't drying out, talk to your doctor about using ear drops at the end of a swim. These help dry up the water in the ears and prevent infection. Kids shouldn't clean their ears with cotton swabs or put any other objects into them. These can scratch the skin and let bacteria or fungi get in. Ear wax is actually good and can protect against swimmer's ear.
Unique Lowe
2025-06-05 14:56:57
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: 13
Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection caused by water that stays in the outer ear canal for a long period of time, providing a moist environment for bacteria to multiply. It is typically caused by water that has stayed in the outer ear canal for a long time. This wears down protective wax and skin and provides a moist environment for bacteria to multiply. Anyone can get swimmer's ear, but it is most often seen in children. Children are more likely to get swimmer's ear than adults, but it can affect anyone. Swimmer's ear is different from a middle ear infection, which is also common in children. To prevent this, Keep ears as dry as possible, use a bathing cap, ear plugs, or custom-fitted swim molds when swimming, and dry ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. Tilt head back and forth so that each ear faces down to allow water to drain out of the ear canal.
Jacinto Breitenberg
2025-05-26 14:05:25
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: 13
If you notice ear pain or itchiness after being in the water, let your healthcare provider know. They can prescribe ear drops that can get rid of your symptoms in about a week. Swimmer’s ear usually isn’t serious if you treat it early.
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