Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

Ear pain is the most common symptom of swimmer’s ear. Unlike the pain of a middle ear infection (otitis media), which might follow a cold, the ear pain from swimmer’s ear is made worse by tugging on your child’s outer ear. Looking inside your child’s ear, your Pediatrician will likely see a red, swollen ear canal, with some discharge.

Diagnosis of Swimmer’s Ear

The diagnosis of swimmer’s ear is usually made when a child has the classic symptom of outer ear pain that is made worse by tugging on the child’s ear.

Swimmer’s ear can be confused with a middle ear infection, especially when your pediatrician is not able to see your child’s ear drum.

Treatments for Swimmer’s Ear

Once your child has swimmer’s ear, it is not the time to put alcohol based ear drops, which are often used to prevent swimmer’s ear. They will likely burn and make your child’s ear feel even worse. Instead, swimmer’s ear is usually treated with antibiotic ear drops, either with or without added steroids (which some experts think can reduce inflammation and make symptoms go away faster).

Common otic (ear) drops that are used to treat swimmer’s ear include:

• Ciprodex^*
• Cipro HC^*
• Cortane-B^*
• Cortisporin^*
• Domeboro Otic
• Floxin
• Vosol
• Vosol HC^*

^*antibiotic ear drops that include a steroid.

Although expensive, Floxin, Ciprodex, and Cipro HC, are most commonly prescribed, as they have less side effects, can be used just twice a day, and may provide better coverage against the bacteria that cause swimmer’s ear.

For mild cases of swimmer’s ear, you might ask your pediatrician if you can first try a solution of half strength white vinegar ear drops (half water/half white vinegar) twice a day — a common home remedy that some parents try.

Pain relievers, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can also be used to to reduce your child’s pain until his ear drops start working.

If there is enough swelling, so that ear drops can’t get into your child’s ear, your pediatrician may place an ear wick inside his ear canal.

Prevention of Swimmer’s Ear

In general, you can prevent swimmer’s ear by keeping water out of your kids’ ears. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean that your kids can swim and enjoy the water. Instead, use an over-the-counter ear drying agent that contains isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), such as Auro-Dri or Swim Ear, or one with acetic acid and aluminum acetate (Star-Otic).

If you like, you might also create your own homemade swimmer’s ear prevention solution by mixing equal parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, and putting it in your child’s ears after he swims.

Although some experts think that earplugs are irritating and can lead to swimmer’s ear, you can also keep water out of your kids’ ears by using a barrier, like earplugs, including Mack’s AquaBlock Earplugs or their Pillow Soft silicone Earplugs. If your kids have a hard time keeping their earplugs in, consider also using the Aqua-Earband or Ear Band-It neoprene swimmer’s headband.

What You Need To Know

• Swimmer’s ear is usually caused by an infection with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
• You can often prevent swimmer’s ear by keeping water out of your child’s ears.
• Pools that are poorly maintained are more likely to spread swimmer’s ear.
• Swimmer’s ear can be treated with prescription antibiotic drops, either with or without steroids.
• Once your child is better, you should continue to use his ear drops for an additional two or three days, during which time he stays out of the water.
• Ear wax may be protective against swimmer’s ear, so don’t aggressively remove wax from your child’s ear. Cleaning your child’s ears with a cotton-tip applicator may also put them more at risk for swimmer’s ear.
• In addition to swimming, kids can be at risk for getting swimmer’s ear if they get water in their ears when bathing or showering.
• Oral antibiotics are rarely needed to treat uncomplicated cases of swimmer’s ear.
• Malignant otitis externa is a rare complication of swimmer’s ear.
• Fungal infections and noninfectious disorders, including eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis, can also cause otitis externa, and should be suspected in chronic cases of swimmer’s ear.

Source:pediatrics.about.com

Your family car is one of these ‘hidden dangers,’ and it is not just because of car accidents. In addition to the risk of getting hit or run over by a car, being left or getting trapped in a hot car can be just as deadly a danger. In fact, over 230 children have died after being left in a hot car (sometimes on relatively mild days with only 70 degree temperatures) since 1998.

Situations in which kids get hurt in hot cars include when:

• infants and toddlers are simply forgotten in their car seat
• toddlers or preschoolers sneak into the car to play and can’t get out
• kids get trapped in the trunk

What’s the danger?

In addition to the risk of being abducted if they are left alone in a car, on a typical summer day, the temperature inside a car (even with the windows rolled down a little) can quickly rise above 120 to 140 degrees. Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a car can get above 100 degrees. At those temperatures, kids are at great risk for heat stroke, which can lead to a high fever, dehydration, seizures, stroke and death.

If you don’t think that it can happen to you or your kids, consider these descriptions from the death certificates of children from 1998 that were published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• a 9 month old died after being ‘left strapped in child safety seat in a sweltering minivan for two hours – misunderstanding between child’s parents resulted in the child being left alone in the van; one parent believed infant was at home with other’
• a 6 month old ‘baby died when accidentally left in hot car for 3 hrs, died when outside 90-degree temperatures rose to 130 degrees inside closed car, parents thought the other had carried the baby from the car to crib’
• a 34 month old ‘toddler who recently learned how to open a car door apparently climbed inside family station wagon while parent and sibling were in house’
• a 23 month old died when a ‘relative babysitting child, put child in car for trip to store, went back in house having forgotten something, was distracted by something on television, sat on couch to watch, fell asleep, woke up two hours later’
• a 2 year old died after a ‘parent left child in car after returning home from errand – was left for more than an hour’
• a 2 year old ‘child apparently slipped away from parents and siblings, fell asleep atop blanket in unlocked car in driveway of home, oldest sibling found child 40 minutes later’

Remember, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, ‘a locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven,’ and ‘temperatures can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes.’

Safety Tips

To keep your kids safe:

• don’t leave them in a car, which can quickly heat up, especially on a hot, sunny day
• always lock your car and secure the keys so that your kids can’t get to them
• warn your kids about playing in the car by themselves without adult supervision
• install a trunk release mechanism, so that they can’t get trapped in the trunk
• get your kids out of the car first, and then worry about getting the groceries, etc., out of the car when you get home
• make sure that child car providers and day care workers have a plan to make sure that kids aren’t left in the day care providers car or van

If you are afraid that you might leave your sleeping infant or toddler in their car seat when you get out of the car, place a reminder on the dashboard.

Also be on alert for cars that might have an unattended child left inside. If you see a child alone in a car, be sure to call 911 and help make sure the child gets out as soon as possible.

And when a child is missing, in addition to checking the backyard pool and any other bodies of water, be sure to check inside the car and trunk of any nearby vehicles.

Kids in Cool Cars

The danger of being left alone isn’t limited to kids getting overheated. Simply leaving the car running and the air conditioning on doesn’t make your child any safer, even if it is just for a few minutes. Your child might be abducted, put the car into drive, or even get caught in a closing power window. So use the drive-through if it is available or take your kids inside, even if you will just be a few minutes. Don’t leave your kids alone in the car. It just isn’t safe and it is actually against the law in many states.

Source:pediatrics.about.com

Hot temperatures and more time spent outdoors, perhaps unsupervised, can put kids’ health and safety at risk.

Sun and Summer Heat

The most obvious hidden dangers in the summer simply have to do with the heat and can include:

• heat stress and heat stroke, which can be prevented. Keep kids well-hydrated, take frequent breaks when playing outside, and watch for symptoms such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and fever. Never leave a child or let her play in a hot car.
• getting burned on metal slides or other hot playground equipment.
• sunburns–although parents should be aware of the risks of not applying sunscreen or sunblock on their children, sunburns are still common (especially if lotions are not used properly.)

Water Safety Tips

Many families try to escape the summer heat in a pool or nearby lake. To keep your kids safe around the water be sure to:

• childproof your pool by enclosing it in a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
• supervise your kids around the pool, even if they know how to swim.
• have children who don’t know how to swim wear a life vest instead of “floaties” when they are in the pool.
• always have your child wear a life vest when on a lake or river, even if they know how to swim.
• take your child to swimming lessons once he or she is four to five years old, the age when most kids can learn to swim.

Other Summer Safety Tips

In addition to using sunscreen, supervising kids around water, and protecting your kids from the heat, you can keep your kids safe this summer by:

• keeping younger kids away from lawn mowers. Despite the need for a summer job or simply wanting to help, remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children younger than 16 years old should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers; children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind mowers.
• using insect repellents when necessary.
• doing a daily tick check if your kids have been playing outdoors, especially in or near wooded areas.
• outfitting your kids with appropriate protective gear, such as a helmet and pads, when they ride a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter, or while wearing heelys.
• not letting your kids play with fireworks and instead visiting a public fireworks display this fourth of July.
• not eating food that has been left out for more than an hour at barbecues and family picnics, which can cause food poisoning.
• teaching your kids to recognize and avoid poison ivy.

And of course, keep your home well-childproofed. This also applies to wherever you are staying when you are on vacation, whether it is a hotel or relative’s home.

Although not a safety danger, it’s important to remember that time off from school also means that your child may have more opportunity to become inactive and eat more junk food, leading to his becoming overweight. Encourage your child to be active and eat a healthy diet all summer long.

Source:pediatrics.about.com

Many overlook the fact that kids can get sick from the germs in the water of pools, lakes, and water parks. Taking some simple steps can help keep your kids — and everyone else — safe while swimming.

Healthy Swimming

One danger when swimming is that water can be contaminated with germs that can cause recreational water illnesses (RWIs), including:

• Diarrhea, which can be caused by swallowing water contaminated with parasites, bacteria, and viruses, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, Shigella, Norovirus, or even E. coli 0157:H7. These germs can get in the water when someone with an infection has a stooling accident in their diaper or in the water, has some of the germs or feces on their bottom, or the water is contaminated with sewage.
• Pink eye and other infections (gastroenteritis, croup, sore throat, or a cold) that can be caused by adenovirus.
• Molluscum contagiosum, a rash similar to a wart which is caused by a poxvirus. Although it may not be spread in swimming pool water, it can likely be spread by sharing swimming pool towels and toys with a child who has molluscum.
• Hepatitis A, a viral infection that affects the liver, causing jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, and fever. Although often associated with contaminated food, it is also possible to less commonly get hepatitis A from contaminated water.
• Naegleria, a rare, although extremely serious, and often fatal infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri ameba that is sometimes found in warm freshwater ponds and lakes.

Doesn’t chlorine kill all of these germs in the water? Chlorine does kill most of these germs, but it can take up to an hour for the chlorine in a properly maintained pool to work. That means that if a child has diarrhea and gets in the pool and your child gets in right after him, that may not be enough time for the chlorine in the pool to kill any germs from the sick child.

And unfortunately, it can take almost a week for chlorine to kill the Cryptosporidium parasite.

In addition to teaching your child to not swallow water when swimming or playing in the water, you can help keep your child and everyone else healthy in the water if you:

• keep your child out of the water when he has diarrhea, pink eye, hepatitis A, or other contagious diseases.
• don’t let your child in the water if he has an open wound, since it could become infected.
• don’t let your child in the water if he has a draining wound, especially MRSA, since it could infect others.
• don’t share pool or beach towels.
• encourage your child to take a shower or bath before swimming.
• encourage your child to wash his hands after using the bathroom, especially if he is going to get back in the water.
• take younger children to the bathroom frequently so that they are less likely to have accidents in the water.
• keep in mind that swim diapers and swim pants are not leakproof and may seep germs into the water. So check and change them frequently for your infants and toddlers who aren’t yet potty trained.
• don’t change diapers by the pool. Instead, take your child to the bathroom to change his diaper and then wash your child’s bottom well and wash your hands too.
• cover molluscum lesions with a watertight bandage.

How common are these infections?

It is hard to say, as not all infections that kids catch from swimming are obviously caused by contaminated water are reported. The CDC reports that 2,698 got sick from waterborne diseases in 2003, which resulted in 58 people requiring hospitalization and one death. Most infections occurred in community swimming pools and pools, spas, and wading pools at hotels and clubs.

Unfortunately, most experts think that cases of waterborne diseases are increasing.

Water Safety Tips

Of course, keeping your child safe in and around the water is also very important.

As with most child safety measures, that usually starts with proper supervision, which is one of the best ways to keep your kids safe in the water. That means watching your kids when they are in or around water, even if they know how to swim. Remember that swim lessons don’t make kids, especially younger kids, drown proof.

Other important water safety tips include that you:

• childproof your swimming pool so that it is enclosed by a permanent fence (which is better than a removable pool fence) that has a self-closing and self-latching gate that is difficult for younger children to open. Also make sure that your child can’t easily get out of your house to the pool area. That way, you have a “layers of protection” system and if one safety layer breaks down, such as someone leaves the gate to the pool open, your child still can’t get out to the pool.
• have everyone wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and not just floaties, on boats, jet skis, and on other personal watercraft.
• only let kids dive in areas that are clearly marked for diving or when you know how deep the water is.
• only swim in designated areas in the ocean and are aware of how to escape rip currents, which can pull you out to sea, by swimming parallel to the beach (sideways), until you are out of the rip current and can swim back to shore.
• learn CPR.
• apply sunscreen or sunblock on your children at least 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun to avoid sunburn, and then reapply it at least every two hours, especially if your child has been in the water.
• have a phone nearby, so that you can quickly call for help when necessary.

Source:pediatrics.about.com