Swimmer’s ear is bacterial growth infection inside
the canal of the ear. It is also known as Otitis Externa.
It differs a lot from ear infections which are dealt
with on a regular basis, which is contracted at times
when the child catches a cold. The common ear infection
is known as Otitis Media, in which the middle of the ear
is infected. Incase of swimmer’s ear, the ear canal
which leads towards the ear drum is infected by
bacteria. The first symptom is that when the finger is
stuck inside the ear canal, it will hurt a lot. In
normal cases, it won’t hurt at all.
The skin within that are is very delicate and hence, is
protected by nature by a thin earwax coating. Usually,
water can easily glide inside and then outside the ear
without any problem. But when the water cleans some or
all of the earwax and if some of the water is retained
inside, the bacteria will take advantage of this
situation. Chemicals in the water aggravate the
situation by increasing the irritation. It starts
growing within the soft and warm ear canal and can cause
swelling and redness. A slight itchiness also
accompanies it. But the child must be instructed to not
to scratch, otherwise there is a greater chance of the
situation becoming worse. If there is no itchiness,
obviously there will be pain, which is the initial
symptom. The ear should not be bumped or touched even
from the exterior, as that will cause intense pain.
Hearing can become difficult due to the bacterial
infection as that will swell the ear canal and block the
passage.
The pain and itchiness can only be gotten rid off by
fighting the infection and killing the grown bacteria.
In usual cases, ear drops are prescribed by the doctor.
These ear drops have antibiotics which are meant to kill
the bacteria. The dosage and number of days to use the
ear drops as told by the doctor should be strictly
followed. If the doses are missed there is a possibility
of bacterial re-growth. A wick is also introduced inside
the ear, sometimes. This wick actually is small piece of
sponge with absorbed lotion. The wick is left inside
then. This procedure is used when the doctor thinks it
is important to apply medicine directly to the part of
the ear canal which is infected. If the pain is
unbearable by the child, parents can give pain killers,
but only after taking suggestion from the doctor. Once
the antibiotics begin working, pain killers can be
stopped.
Swimmer’s ear cannot be just attained cause of water
entering the ear at the time of taking baths or showers.
Children, who have joined the summer swimming camp, can
complain of this problem. After the swimmer’s ear is
treated, the child shouldn’t swim immediately. Doctor,
usually, advices them to stay away from water for a week
or two. The time period may sound very long, but it
keeps the pain away for a long time. Special ear drops
are available over the counter which can be put inside
the child’s ear after swimming is over. This will dry up
any water inside the ear, if any. Swimmer’s ear can also
be caused when inquisitive kids try to stuff things
inside the ear and thus damaging it. Bacteria get a
chance of developing on the scratched area. In this
case, only parent’s supervision will do the trick.
