The hours of enjoyment that swimming brings are sometimes also accompanied by painful ear infections. You need to take extra precautions if you’ve recently got your little one enrolled for swimming lessons for kids near me.
At the same time, it’s also not wise to prevent your child from swimming out of fear of possible ear infections. So, what’s the solution? Well, there are certain measures you can take to keep ear infections at bay. Read on to get an in-depth insight into the concept.
Middle or inner ear infections
Cold is usually followed by an inner ear infection. Is your child complaining of constant ear pain? If so, chances are your kid has an ear infection. However, most parents are unaware of such infections until they go for a routine pediatric checkup. Normally, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for the infection.
Having an inner ear infection doesn’t imply that your child cannot enjoy swimming, All you need to do is inform the instructor not to make your child dive deep into the water for the day. It’s because the eardrum wraps the inner ears. This prevents the water from getting inside and makes the situation worse.
Swimmer’s Ear
Commonly known as swimmer’s ear, the outer ear infection is usually found in adults and older children who are regular swimmers. Several other reasons also contribute to such infection. In swimming classes for kids near me, water usually gets trapped in the ear canal when your child is underwater. It gives an opportunity for bacteria to thrive there. As a result, a bad aching ear infection occurs.
Usually, this infection causes way too much pain, and you can usually experience this post-bathing or swimming. The swimmer in you might not want to swim for at least 7 to 10 days.
Also Read: 5 Benefits of Swimming for Kids beyond Exercise
Measures to Prevent the Infection
Mentioned below are some of the measures you can take to safeguard your child from any possible ear infection.
Earplugs
Make your child wear earplugs to prevent water from entering the ear canal. The warm and wet environment inside the ear canal is the perfect state for bacteria multiplication. So, make sure the earplugs are specifically designed to prevent water from entering, not only noise. Plus, it’s essential to make sure the earplugs fit correctly.
Get your hands on customized earplugs from the nose, ear, and throat professionals or an audiologist. Although they can be a tad bit expensive, they fit perfectly to your child’s ear.
Dry the ears
Once the swimming lessons for kids near me are over, tilt the head to the side, allow the water to drain out, and repeat the same with the other side. For extra care, use the towel and dry the exterior of the ears. It’s recommended to use the hair dryer for the coldest settings. Avoid using tissues or cotton swabs. It might end up scratching the layer of skin in the ear canal.
Ear Drop
Ear drops also help to a great extent with drying the ears. The types of drops you can use are as follows.
- Olive oil can be used to moisturize dry or inflamed skin. Plus, it repels water.
- Use 1-2 drops of rubbing alcohol. It will evaporate the water trapped inside the ear canal.
- White vinegar also acts as a great ear drop as it maintains the pH balance inside the ear canal. For best results, combine rubbing alcohol and vinegar as an ear drop.
Occasional use of hydrogen peroxide is also quite common. It’s the best solution to wipe off war wax and kill germs present inside the ear. Studies have revealed that hydrogen peroxide is known to kill healthy tissues. Therefore, it’s advised to dilute using water and rinse off exactly after 30 seconds of applying.
Healthy Skin
Ear infections can be avoided by maintaining healthy skin around your ears. You don’t want to have flaky or cracked skin. Avoid cutting or scratching your ears. Avoid sticking anything into your ears, such as cotton swabs, and keep your ears dry. Be careful when cleaning your ears, and get a doctor to remove any extra wax if necessary.
After having your ears cleaned by a doctor, you shouldn’t immediately go for swimming classes for kids near me or use ear drops for a few weeks. The cleaning may have left you with minor cuts or abrasions.
Bacteria levels
Avoid swimming in badly contaminated ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water. Hot tubs that aren’t kept clean shouldn’t be used. You run the chance of getting in touch with plenty of microorganisms. Swim in clean, well-maintained pools as an alternative.
Conclusion
Take the complete course of antibiotics if your doctor has advised them for your ear infection. If you stop taking antibiotics too soon, some germs may survive, making it more difficult to treat your infection should it return. Make sure your children are secure near and in the water. Taking certain measures mentioned above will keep your child away from the risk of catching an ear infection.
Saguaro Aquatics is one of the best swimming lessons for kids near me. We host both groups as well as private swimming classes for your kids. Your child will receive training from trained professionals under utmost safety. Rest assured, knowing that experts surround your child. Get your child enrolled this summer for swimming classes. Reach out to us via mail at swim@saguaroaquatics.com or call us at (520) 638-8040.
