Children swimming to cool off should be careful to prevent otitis media

Dear parents and children, summer is here and swimming has become our favorite way to cool down. The cool splashes of water and the sound of laughter make you feel that summer is full of fun. However, please note that while enjoying the joy of swimming, we should also be alert to a potential disease - otitis media. Next, let's learn about otitis media and how to prevent it in a relaxed and enjoyable way.

1. What is otitis media?

Otitis media, as the name suggests, is an inflammation of the middle ear. It is a relatively common disease that mainly occurs in children. The middle ear is a small organ that connects our head and nose, and it helps us hear sounds from around the body. When this area becomes infected, otitis media may occur.

2. Symptoms of otitis media

Symptoms of otitis media include ear pain, hearing loss, fever, vomiting, etc. If your child develops these symptoms after swimming, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.

3. Why is swimming likely to cause otitis media?

When swimming, water enters the middle ear, which provides a place for bacteria to breed. In addition, chlorine and other chemicals in swimming pools may irritate the middle ear and cause inflammation. In addition, improper nose blowing methods may also cause otitis media. Because when blowing your nose, the pressure may push mucus and bacteria into the middle ear.

4. How to prevent otitis media?

Imagine your ear is like a castle, and the middle ear is the central square of the castle. Bacteria are not easy to block guests, they may enter the castle through water droplets or pollutants in the swimming pool. Once they cross the wall and break into the middle ear square, it may cause a war of otitis media. In order to keep our castle peaceful and prevent the outbreak of this war, we need to take some simple and practical preventive measures.

Teach your child the correct way to blow his nose: press one nostril with your finger, then gently blow out the mucus from the other nostril.

Shower immediately after swimming: This will rinse away bacteria that may be clinging to your skin.

Avoid rubbing your ears hard: Try to avoid getting water into your ears when bathing or washing your hair. If water gets into your ears, gently blot it with a clean towel.

Keep your nasal cavity clean: Clean your nasal cavity regularly to reduce bacterial growth.

Enhance immunity: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can all enhance your child's immunity and reduce the risk of infection.

Regular checkups: Take your child to the doctor regularly for ear exams so that any possible inflammation can be detected and treated promptly.

Vaccinations: Get the flu shot and other necessary vaccines to boost your body’s immunity and prevent otitis media and other infections.

Pay attention to hearing protection: When children participate in water activities, give them waterproof earplugs or headphones to protect their hearing from damage.

Avoid excessive noise: Prolonged exposure to noise may have a negative impact on hearing and even cause otitis media. Therefore, let your children protect their ears while enjoying swimming.

Seek medical help promptly: Take your child to a doctor immediately if they develop any symptoms associated with otitis media, such as pain, fever, hearing loss, etc. Do not try to self-diagnose or treat with over-the-counter medications.

V. Conclusion

It is a happy thing for children to swim to cool off, but we must be vigilant against the "troublemaker" of otitis media. By understanding the causes and prevention methods of otitis media, we can let children protect their ears while enjoying the coolness. I hope every child can spend this summer healthy and happy!