Child Summer Safety (p.26)

By Kelly Werner, CPNP and Bridget Degele, MD

Summer is usually the time for trips to the beach, cookouts with friends and family, and making memories around the campfire. However, while your children are having fun, make sure that they are safe, too. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has outlined several safety tips designed with your child’s health in mind.

SUN SAFETY

Most children get 50% to 80% of their lifetime exposure to sun before the age of 18 years. Infants and children under six months of age should avoid sun exposure and wear lightweight clothing and hats. If this is not possible, and shade is not available, a small amount of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater should be applied to small areas. Children six months and older should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays. This should be applied approximately 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplied frequently. Try to avoid the main sun hours from about 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and dress your children in lightweight clothing and hats. To avoid possible skin allergy, avoid sunscreen with PABA. Children with sensitive skin can look for products with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are chemical-free blocks. These ingredients actually sit on top of the skin and form a barrier against the sun.

SWIMMER’S EAR – A SUMMERTIME PROBLEM

Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the skin lining the ear canal. It is different from an inner ear infection (otitis media), which is caused by bacteria behind the eardrum. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear may include:
• Ear discomfort (ranging from itching to severe pain);
• Ear discharge (from watery to thick);
• Pain when the ear is moved up and down;
• A feeling that the ear is plugged up;
• Hearing loss.

CAUSE

Swimmer’s ear usually occurs when your child’s ears have been underwater for long periods of time. When water gets trapped in the ear canal, the lining becomes inflamed, damp, swollen, and more prone to bacterial infection. Lake water causes infection more often than pool or ocean water.

TREATMENT

Mild swimmer’s ear can be treated by applying an acidic solution of ½ white vinegar and ½ water for five minutes, twice a day. If pain persists, your doctor may prescribe topical antibiotic/steroid drops to be placed directly in the ear canal. When applying the drops, it helps to move the earlobe back and forth to help them get deeper into the ear canal. The ear drops should be given until ear pain is resolved, then for three more days. Often, a course of seven to ten days is recommended. Usually, pain improves within 48-72 hours and has resolved completely in a week. Oral antibiotics are seldom required. Swimming is not recommended until the pain has resolved, since swimming while an infection is still present can cause a slower recovery.

PREVENTION

For children who are predisposed to swimmer’s ear or swim often, several measures may be taken to reduce the risk of developing swimmer’s ear.

After swimming, have your child turn his head to the side and pull his earlobe to get all the water out. Drying the ear canal with a hair dryer on low heat after swimming may also help. Rinsing with a mixture of ½ rubbing alcohol and ½ white vinegar after swimming can also help by drying the ear canal, killing germs, and restoring the ear’s normal pH. Commercially available drops that can also be used after swimming include Swim Ear and Star Otic. Ear plugs, unless there is a very tight fit, can trap water behind the ears and may increase the risk of developing swimmer’s ear. Scratching the ear canal, using cotton swabs frequently, or overzealous washing with soap can also make the canal more prone to infection.

Again, summer is a time for fun in the sun – just remember these simple tips to ensure a safe time is had by all.

Kelly Werner, CPNP and Bridget Degele, MD are with Jeffers, Mann, and Artman Pediatrics, with offices in Wake Forest, Raleigh, Cary, and Clayton. They can be reached at 919-786-5001 or visitwww.jeffersandmann.com.