Summer is here, and now your children want to jump into the pool for swimming but if your child has an ear infection then can your child swim with an ear infection?

Yes, your child can swim with an ear infection. You just need to keep the ear dry and remove excess water from the ear.

But do not put any cotton tips, pencils, paper clips, or any object in the ear of your child because when you put something in the ear of your child,

Then vax in the ear canal gets removed which can increase the ear infection during swimming.

Mainly there are two types of ear infections especially found in children during summer.

First is a middle ear infection, and the second is otitis externa which is also known as “swimmer’s Ear”.

In this article, we will answer all of your questions and doubts about swimming with an ear infection.

And also discuss some prevention and proven ways to swim with ear infections.

Table Of Contents

Symptoms of Ear Infection

Lots of parents even don’t know their children are having ear infections because they don’t know what are the symptoms of ear infections.

First, we will talk about the symptoms of middle ear infection then we will discuss symptoms of “Swimmer’s Ear” which is also called otitis externa.

And both are common ear infections found in children above 2 years.

Symptoms of Middle Ear Infection

This middle ear infection is also called “acute otitis media or AOM”.

These are common symptoms of middle ear infection

  • Fever
  • Fluide coming from the ear
  • Headache
  • Sometimes loss of appetite

Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)

This is also the most common infection which is found in children’s ears.

Here are some common symptoms of swimmer’s ear

  • Itchiness in ear
  • Ear Pain
  • Foul Smelling Odor Coming From the ear
  • Redness and swelling in the ear
  • Draining from the infected ear.

After knowing the symptoms, if you’re sure about the infection in your child,

You need to take antibiotics and take help from the doctor.

Also Read: Can You Swim With Stitches In Your Hand?

Can you Swim With An Ear Infection?

It’s really important for you to know whether your child can swim with an ear infection or not.

Because no matter what you tell your child, they won’t listen and always want to swim in the pool no matter what.

But can your child swim with an ear infection?

It depends on what type of ear infection your child has.

Can you Swim with a Middle Ear Infection?

If your child has a middle ear infection then your child can swim with the ear infection.

But you need to always dry the ear of your child after a swim and do not try to put any object in the ear of your child.

And if your child has wax inside their ear then do not remove the wax because wax prevents the ear from the water.

Can you Swim With An Summer’s Ear Infection?

Summer’s ear infection can be also known as otitis externa and in this infection, your child can experience pain.

So if your child has a summer ear infection then sorry to say you but you need to wait until the infection is gone.

Because your child can’t swim with summer’s ear infection.

So no matter how much your child wants to go swim but you shouldn’t let your child swim with a summer ear infection,

Otherwise, it can increase pain and infection.

how long to avoid swimming after an ear infection?

If you have an ear infection then it will heal on its own in three to four days, but if you took the antibiotics from your doctor and stopped the pain and drainage,

Then you can swim after 2 days, as long as your pain is gone and drainage is stopped.

can you swim with an ear infection while on antibiotics?

If you took the anti-biotics for your ear infection and if the pain and drainage from your ear has been stopped then you can swim anytime.

But you should always wait until 3 days when the pain and drainage from your ear have completely disappeared.

If you have a middle ear infection then you can take antibiotics and swim on the same day, just remember to dry your ear once you are done swimming.

can you swim with an ear infection with ear plugs?

If you have an ear infection then do not use earplugs when you are swimming.

If you have a middle ear infection then you can take anti-biotics from your doctor and swim on the same day but without using ear plugs.

You can dry your ear after you swim.

But if you have a swimmer’s ear infection then you must avoid swimming until the drainage and pain are gone.

Can Swimming Cause Ear Infection?

There is no evidence that shows, swimming cause ear infections but if do not dry your ear after swimming or showering then water can remain in your ear which causes disease.

Adults have more wax than children in their ears so children get most ear infections because water can enter through their ears.

How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear

If you want to prevent or reduce the risk of ear infection during swimming then follow these prevention tips and tricks.

  1. Always Keep Your Ear Dry As Possible, you can use ear plugs, and bathing caps but do not use cotton caps. (And Do not use any of these if you already have an ear infection.
  2. Use a towel to dry your ear after swimming and shower.
  3. Tilt your head and allow water to escape from your ear.
  4. If you still have excess water in your ears then put the hair dryer on low settings and use a hair dryer to remove the water from your ear.
  5. Do not remove the wax of your ear because wax helps the ear to protect from water and bacteria.

These were some important prevention if you don’t want any ear infection

References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swimmers-ear/symptoms-causes/syc-20351682