How to prevent otitis media in children when swimming

Swimming is a healthy sport, not only children but also adults enjoy this activity, especially in hot weather. However, many people are susceptible to otitis media when swimming, especially young children.

Swimming can easily cause ear, nose and throat infections if not properly prevented (Illustration photo)

Mr. Vu Van Viet in Nguyen Trai commune has a child with otitis media who needs to be treated at the Pediatrics Department ( Hung Yen General Hospital) shared: “My child is 8 years old, during the summer vacation, the weather is hot, he often goes swimming with friends. After a week, he complained of ear pain and a slight fever. The family took him to the hospital for examination, the doctor diagnosed him with otitis media and swimming could be the main cause of this condition.”

NHC (10 years old, living in An Binh quarter, Pho Hien ward) went swimming while having a sore throat and runny nose. After 3 days, the child showed symptoms of fever, headache, stuffy nose, tinnitus, and discomfort in the ear. After an ear endoscopy at Hung Ha General Hospital, the doctor diagnosed the child with otitis media.   According to Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Hoc, Hung Ha General Hospital, the main cause is the previous runny nose causing nasal discharge to go back up to the ear. Along with the fact that the pool water is not properly cleaned, it creates favorable conditions for bacteria to grow, causing ear infections.

According to Dr. Hoc, since the beginning of summer, the number of cases of ear diseases caused by swimming coming to the hospital for examination has increased. Of which, otitis externa is common in adults, otitis media is common in children. Adults, when bathing, often put dirty hands with pathogens in them to clean their ears. Due to the structure of the Eustachian tube and   Children's resistance is weaker   So in an environment with contaminated bathing water, there is a higher risk of otitis media. Anyone can get otitis media when swimming, but the tendency to get the disease is higher in children than in adults.

Doctor's advice for otitis media

To prevent otitis media when swimming in the summer, Dr. Hoang Thi Thuy, Deputy Head of the Department of Pediatrics (Hung Yen Provincial General Hospital) recommends: When swimming in hot weather, you should use earplugs or ear protection covers. While swimming, avoid choking on water, limit water from entering the nose and throat. In addition, choose swimming pools with clean water sources to avoid ear contamination, causing ear infections...

Visiting pediatric patients being treated at Hung Yen General Hospital

Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Hoc, Hung Ha General Hospital noted that to prevent otitis media, cleaning the ears after swimming is extremely necessary. It is necessary to dry the ears by taking a clean cotton ball and placing it gently in the outer ear canal for about 3-5 minutes, the cotton swab will automatically absorb the water out. If water gets into the ear, tilt your head, then pull the earlobe back to create a straight path for the water to flow out. It is necessary to clean the eyes, nose, and throat with saline after swimming to avoid rhinitis, pharyngitis, and otitis media.

“People with a history of otitis media, sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis should limit swimming because the disease can easily recur. When the ear feels itchy, uncomfortable, watery, has a cloudy yellow discharge, or is painful to the touch, the patient should go to a medical facility for timely treatment,” Dr. Hoc emphasized.

Ngoc Bich - Thu Trang

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/cach-phong-tranh-viem-tai-giua-o-tre-khi-di-boi-3182443.html