As high temperatures arrive, many families hit the beach, water park or pool to cool down, but with swimming comes the risk of ear infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, an ear infection is most often a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear – the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Because the ear canal is dark, warm and can hold water, it makes a perfect environment for water-loving bacteria and fungus to grow.
Know the symptoms: Your child might have an infection if he or she complains of itchiness inside an ear, is tugging or pulling at an ear, has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, is crying or more irritable than usual or has fluid draining from the ear. Consult your child’s doctor if your son or daughter has pain when pressure is placed on the ear, has difficulty sleeping, hearing or responding to sounds, or has a headache and/or loss of appetite.
When to see a doctor: If symptoms last for more than a day, ear pain is severe or you observe discharge from the ear – especially after a cold or upper respiratory infection – call the doctor to make an appointment right away.
Keep the ears as dry as possible: Use a swimming cap, earplugs, or custom-fitted swim ear molds when your child is in the pool or ocean.
Dry the ears thoroughly after swimming or showering: Use a towel to dry your child’s outer ears after swimming. Gently pull earlobe in different directions while tipping each ear to the side to help drain any remaining water.
Don’t remove excess earwax: Don’t remove earwax from your child’s ears as it helps protect the ear canal from infection.
CalOptima is an organized health system and provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County.
