My 8 year old's ear feels clogged. It started in the shower after she had been swimming. She says she ran water in her ear to get the sunscreen off. Sigh No pain, but she is uncomfortable. Any suggestions on how to help? How long should I let her go before before being concerned?
I'm adverse to putting anything in her ear without speaking to a doctor. That said, I am still open to any and all suggestions of what's worked for you. It's only been a few hours, but she's upset about it.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks. I may pick up the swimmers ear product to have on hand - she just joined swim team!! She is starting to feel better. I ran a warm hair dryer around the ear, not directly in it, and she massages it and laid on her side too. Seems to have helped! Thanks!
Hi, SM:
If you have an ear syringe, one with a bulb.
Squeeze it and put the tip in the entrance
of the ear and it will suck out any water
droplets.
Do that each time the child showers or swims.
Good luck
D.
they make a product called swimmers ear. it is basically an alchol solution that dries up any water that has become trapped in the ear canal. i use it all the time for myself and my 2 little ones (3 and 4 year olds).
Our doctor recommended a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part alcohol. Just put a few drops into each ear to help dry up the water.
we just use alcohol in my sons ear and in seconds he is better he gets that every time he goes swimming.. his is from an ear infection he had that busted his ear drum so our dr said it was fine..but use whatever make you comfortable..just dont let he suffer you know how bad you hate it when your ears are clogged.
There is an over-the-counter product especially for this. Go ask the pharmacist for it. You put it in her ear and it dries up the water in there. It also helps prevent the PAINFUL condition called swimmer's ear.
You don't need to ask a doctor for this. This is what the doctor would tell you to use, and many people use it after they get out of the pool.
Dawn
I have two kids on swim team:)
The swimmer's ear products works well but you could just use alcohol. Alcohol is in the swimmer's ear product with a glycerine base.
If her ear starts to hurt....
My daughter had swimmer's ear 2 weeks ago with significant pain, stuffiness, hard to hear. The nurse on call recommended: You can use a solution of equal parts vinegar and warm water. Put a few drops in the ear. Let it stay in for five minutes. Then shake it out. You can do this twice a day for about 3 days. Use the plugs when she swims.
Well, we always put rubbing alcohol in our ears after swimming at camp and I do the same thing with my kiddos (I have also used the product swimmer's ear).
Just remember the ear drum is intact and is a barrier to prevent water from really "getting in the ear" unless your child has eartubes or has a ruptured ear drum:) Even though it does FEEL like it is up in there.
Hope you all figure it out for her. It is sooo annoying when this happens to me.
My granddaughter used to get swimmers ear every summer. Last year she didn't and so far this year we've been good.
I would try the OTC stuff and if she doesn't have relief by tomorrow, take her to the doctor. The OTC stuff will probably clear it up. It is annoying not to be able to hear!
Sounds like the beginning of swimmer's ear which can be very painful. I'd wait one more day and if not better, go to the doctor.
I used to get ear infections a lot from being on swim team. I remember my mom using a remedy of equal amounts of vinegar and alcohol for drops. (I just googled it and that is still a remedy.)
But a tried and true method of getting water out of the ear, if it still feels clogged is this... I did it whenever I felt my ears were clogged after swimming. It worked like a charm, even if I looked silly. Have your child jump on one leg (same side as the clogged ear) and turn her head slightly for the water to drain. Jump up and down a few times in a row like this and the water amazingly drains. I used to do this right away, so I am not sure how it will work if the water's been sitting for a day or so. (Sometimes I needed to jump hard and turn my head, but it always worked for me!) Best wishes!
