If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
With many kids spending lots of time in the pool, be on the lookout for swimmer's ear
With many kids spending lots of time in the pool, be on the lookout
for swimmer's ear By Dan Vierria - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, June 3, 2007 Story appeared in SCENE section, Page L10 Water, especially these days, may be contaminated, which increases chances for swimmer's ear, a painful ear infection. Swimmer's ear is a bacterial or fungal infection caused by trapped water. One symptom may be a vile-smelling, yellowish-green pus in the ear canal. Eww ... Water-sports enthusiasts and those who while away the summer days in pools, lakes, rivers or on beaches are most prone to swimmer's ear. Poorly maintained swimming pools are an invitation for a bad case of swimmer's ear. A shower or bath can create the environment for the ear infection. Hair spray and dyes that get into the ear canal also can be culprits. Sacramento and other areas with many swimming pools and rivers have more cases of swimmer's ear. Children seem to contract it more often than adults, but Carmichael ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Mitch Blum says that's because kids are such water bugs. "A lot of the young kids have it and I see it all year around," he says. "You'd think it should be seasonal because of the swimming." When water doesn't drain from the ear, the symptoms can range from decreased hearing to intense pain, depending on the progression of the infection. "Generally, the ear feels heavy and you can't hear as well," says Blum. "That's the trapped water. For older people who have some ringing in the ears, the ringing gets louder." Water trapped in the ears also has been described as causing buzzing, humming and crackling noises. Jumping up and down, on one leg or two, sometimes will release the water. Tugging on the ear lobe, tilting the head toward the shoulders, yawning and repeatedly opening and shutting the mouth are other homespun strategies that may or may not work. Prevention, as usual, is the best strategy. Ear plugs can help. BioEars, new antimicrobial earplugs (www.bioears.com), are the latest product to help prevent swimmer's ear. The earplugs contain an antimicrobial agent. In its early stages, over-the-counter ear drops can stop the infection. Antibiotic ear drops may be used for more severe cases. Swimming is great exercise. Just remember to keep your ears dry. http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/201216.html |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
stretches if your kids are spending too long on computer | savik | Kids Health | 0 | November 12th 05 06:05 PM |
Report criticizes DCF spending policies | wexwimpy | Foster Parents | 6 | February 2nd 05 02:42 PM |
Q about spending time on tummy for 1 month old | P Harris | Pregnancy | 11 | August 13th 04 11:47 PM |
Maine fails, too. Kids spending too much time foster care | Fern5827 | Foster Parents | 0 | November 8th 03 01:37 PM |