Summer is coming, swimming is a very good exercise and summer-heat relieving activity. However, when swimming, attention should be paid to protecting ears to prevent swimming-related ear diseases.
Is there what who may cause ear diseases caused by swimming?
1. External auditory canal inflammation
Otitis externa caused by swimming is also called [swimmer’s ear]. When swimming or bathing, bacteria and other pathogenic bacteria enter the ear with the water flow. The warm and humid environment in the ear is suitable for bacteria reproduction, thus causing otitis externa.
Symptoms of otitis externa mainly include:
- Ear redness, ear canal pruritus, ear excrement increase, ear canal pus flow, fever, external auditory canal pain, or headache
2. Childhood otitis media
Due to children’s developmental problems, bacteria in the oral cavity and nasal cavity are easier to enter the middle ear than adults. Therefore, when children swim, the pool water enters the nasal cavity or mouth. If not handled properly, bacteria may enter the middle ear and cause otitis media.
Symptoms of otitis media mainly include:
- Ear pain or headache, hearing loss, ear tightness and tinnitus
In addition, there will be some other symptoms: some children will express something in their ears, headache, or feel blocked ears, unable to hear clearly, etc. Even systemic symptoms such as fever and vomiting may occur. If inflammation causes perforation of tympanic membrane, pus may flow.
If the treatment is not timely, it may develop into chronic otitis media and affect hearing.
If you feel unwell after swimming, you should see a doctor in time.
No matter adults or children, ear discomfort after swimming should go to the otolaryngology department of the hospital in time. Doctors will judge the location and severity of the lesion through professional examination methods.
For ear infection, please be sure to standardize the medication under the guidance of the doctor, and do not stop the medication without authorization because the symptoms are relieved.
After swimming, otitis externa or otitis media will not affect hearing after regular treatment. However, if the treatment is not standardized, otitis externa may cause infection around the ear, tympanic membrane perforation, otitis media, etc., and even intracranial infection, leading to serious consequences.
Otitis media may become chronic, seriously affecting children’s hearing.
How protects his ears while swimming?
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Avoid swimming in unclean water;
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Children should try their best to avoid choking when swimming.
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Wear earplugs and nose clips when swimming;
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When swimming, if the ear is flooded, you should tilt your head to the side of the water after landing, pull the ear back and up, pat the top of the ear with the other hand or jump on one foot, but the water in the ear comes out.
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Don’t use sharp tools such as ear digging spoons to dig your ears.
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After the water comes out, if there is water in the nasal cavity, do not hold the nostrils on both sides at the same time to squeeze out the water. You can block one nostrils with your hands and slowly breathe through the other nostrils to let the water flow out. Do not blow your nose hard to prevent the water from flowing into the sinuses or middle ear.
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After swimming or bathing, gently blow dry your ears with the cold air gear of the hair dryer.
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Ear discomfort occurs after swimming and requires medical treatment. Do not use any folk prescription, such as alcohol and vinegar, because this may aggravate the infection.
Responsible Editor: Zhang Jingyuan