Summer time equals pool time, especially in Arizona. But water can sometimes pose health issues for kids. One of those issues is swimmer’s ear. What exactly is swimmer’s ear and what can you do if you think your child is dealing with its painful effects? AllKids Pediatric Urgent Care is here to help!
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear is simply an infection of the ear canal. It is different from a normal ear infection which typically affects the middle ear. Swimmer’s ear happens when bacteria grows in the ear canal – the passageway to the eardrum. Most of the time water can run in and out of the ear canal without causing a problem, like when you’re taking a shower, but a lot of swimming can lead to wet conditions sticking around the ear canal, letting the bacteria grow causing the ear canal to get red and swollen and painful.
Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
Ear pain is the most common sign of swimmer’s ear, even touching or bumping the outside of the ear can hurt. The infection can also sometimes make it harder to hear because of the swelling.
Treating Swimmer’s Ear
If you suspect swimmer’s ear or any ear infection at all, seek out the advice of your pediatrician or head to our Mesa pediatric urgent care or Gilbert pediatric urgent care right away as most of the time you will need a prescription ear drop with an antibiotic to kill the bacteria. If your child also has a lot of pain, they might suggest an over the counter pain medication to let your child feel better while you’re waiting for the prescription to start working.
Mesa Pediatric Urgent Care and Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care
It can be scary any time your child is sick, but rest assured that AllKids Urgent Care is here to help guide you every step of the way with a caring and knowledgeable pediatric staff. Both our Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care and our Mesa Pediatric Urgent Care are open every day, from noon to 10 p.m. No appointment is necessary, just stop in and start your child on the road back to health.
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