With the summer upon us, we’re all heading to the pool. And you might find the information in this blog to be particularly helpful should you or your children be prone to ear infections.
A bacteria that is found in the water and even in the soil around a pool causes what is known as “Swimmer’s Ears”.
Our ears actually have a natural defence to this bacteria. Your ear canal is sloped slightly down from your middle ear to your outer ear which enables water to drain out. Your ears also secrete cerumen, which acts as a water repellent and is also acidic which helps to discourage bacterial growth. Children are at a greater risk of getting swimmers ears, as their ear canal is narrow and therefore the swimming pool water gets trapped there more easily.
Swimming pools that are not well maintained have elevated bacteria levels and that puts the swimmer at more of a risk of getting swimmer’s ears. It goes without saying that you can also get swimmer’s ear while swimming in a dam or in the ocean.
Doctors classify swimmer’s ear in accordance to its severity; mild, moderate or advanced.
Mild Stage
- Your ear canal feels itchy
- There is a redness inside your ear
- Your ear is sensitive to the touch
- Your ear could have an odourless fluid draining from it
Moderate Stage
- Your ear itches more intensely and is more painful
- Your ear has more redness and the fluid is now excessive
- Your ear has a discharge of puss
- Your ear feels blocked
- Your hearing is impaired
Advanced Stage
- You have severe pain, and even your face and neck are painful
- Your ear canal is completely blocked
- Severe redness and swelling of your outer ear
- Your lymph nodes in your neck become swollen
- You have a fever
At any of these stages it is best to consult your doctor or pharmacist because a swimmer’s ear that is not treated correctly can lead to complications, such as:
- Temporary hearing loss
- Long term infection
- Deep tissue infections
- Bone and cartilage damage
- Widespread infection (Rare)
But don’t despair after reading how painful an infection can get. There are various ways to prevent ear infections, some of which include:
- Dry your ears thoroughly and carefully after swimming.
- Tip your head to the side, this will help water drain out of your ear.
- Never put foreign objects such as paper clips or hairpins in your ear, as such items can damage the sensitive inner ear.
- If you have recently had an ear infection or ear surgery, its best to first get the go ahead from your doctor before heading to the swimming pool.
- Wearing earplugs while swimming is also a good way to prevent getting swimmer’s ear. If you are prone to getting swimmer’s ear, earplugs are probably the answer.
If you or your family are going on holiday and will be swimming, there are products on the market to put in your ears after swimming to help protect against getting swimmer’s ear. Before leaving, ask your pharmacist and take a preventative product with you in your first aid kit.
