Summer is here, which means you and your preschooler will likely be spending quite a bit of time at the pool or beach in order to cool off. But, what happens when your pool plans are put on hold because your preschooler develops swimmer’s ear?
When a child complains of an earache most parents automatically assume that their son or daughter is suffering from an inner ear infection. However, during the summer months when recreational swimming increases, doctors say most of the earaches they treat are related to a condition called swimmer’s ear.
Swimmer’s ear is caused when excess water gets trapped in the ear canal. The excess water dilutes the acidity that normally prevents infection and can lead to severe ear pain. A bad case of swimmer’s ear will require a trip to the doctor, but you can save yourself some anxiety if you know the signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear.
Generally, symptoms of swimmer’s ear appear within a few days of exposure to contaminated water, and may include:
*Itching of the outer ear
*Swelling of the ear or lymph nodes
*Pus found near the outer ear or draining from any part of the ear
*Compromised hearing
*Severe pain of the outer ear or moderate pain or discomfort in or around the inner ear
*Feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the ear
*Redness and or scaly and flaking skin around the outer ear
Studies show that preschoolers and older adults are at increased risk for the condition. Others who are especially susceptible to swimmer’s ear are individuals who suffer with the skin condition eczema, which causes a person to scratch their ears excessively. If your child experiences excessive earwax buildup, then he may also be at risk of getting swimmer’s ear since the wax can trap water in the ear.
Other ear problems that may also increase your preschooler’s risk of swimmer’s ear include having small ear canals that don’t drain well and chronic middle ear infections that moisten and perforate the eardrum.
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