Otitis externa in children. Swimmer's Otitis

External otitis is a very frequent infection during summer in children. It is also known as otitis swimmer or pool because it usually appears due to prolonged exposure to water. It is a pathology that affects the skin of the outer ear , and has nothing to do with common otitis, typical of the middle

External otitis is a very frequent infection during summer in children. It is also known as otitis swimmer or pool because it usually appears due to prolonged exposure to water. It is a pathology that

affects the skin of the outer ear , and has nothing to do with common otitis, typical of the middle ear, that is, the region posterior to the eardrum.Symptoms of otitis externa in children

This type of condition occurs when water irritates or damages the skin of the outer ear and increases the chances of infection, according to the website of the

Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP). The first symptoms that children present are a

redness and itching of the ear or auditory canal, which will then become a pain of different intensity, especially when the child chews or touches the area. In addition, the infection can affect the lymph nodes or suppurate a whitish fluid, although fever is rare and is not contagious either. Most likely, the child complains of noticing the

ear plugged or of not listening well. Prevent and treat external otitis

External otitis in children should be diagnosed by a specialist, to avoid complications. This disease is usually treated with drops that may contain antibiotics and, occasionally, corticosteroids. Inflammation is also usually treated with

ibuprofen or paracetamol. The AEP recommends drying children's ears well when they leave the water, either in the sea or in the pools. It is best for the children to tilt their heads to the sides to favor the water coming out and then dry the area with a

clean towel , never with the cotton swabs.If otitis externa is recurrent, the best way to prevent its appearance is by using

earplugs for the ears. Patricia García Herrero.

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