Glue Ear and Grommets:
When a middle ear infection occurs, fluid is produced behind the eardrum. Over time this fluid can become thick and sticky and cause a long-term blockage of air into the middle ear from the eustachian tube.
This blockage could result in irritability, inattentiveness, poor balance, and ultimately hearing loss. Long term there might be speech delay and difficulty at school.
To allow air into the middle ear and fluid to drain, a tiny tube called a grommet is often surgically inserted through the eardrum. The grommet will eventually fall out as the ear grows (taking from 3 months up to 1 or 2 years). Occasionally the child might need grommets inserted again.
Most children with grommets are allowed to swim but might be asked to wear earplugs and a cap to assist in keeping the ears dry. Children with grommets should not risk forcing water into the middle ear by diving or submerging more than 1 metre.
Ludmilla Rosengren M.D.
Skin Problems and Chlorinated Pools
The relatively strong levels of chlorine in heated pools can irritate some sensitive skins. Adults and children with eczema are most likely to be affected. This can be a distressing problem for a small number of individuals resulting in scratching and rubbing after swimming and the aggravation of any pre-existing eczema.
Cooler pool water with lower chlorine levels is helpful where this can be achieved. Alternatively, applying moisturizer before swimming sometimes helps to prevent irritation. Those experiencing itching or stinging after periods in the pool should shower on leaving the pool, pat the skin dry and then immediately apply a bland moisturizer such as sorbolene with glycerine. This will effectively seal some of the shower water into the skin giving an enhanced moisturizing effect.
Rarely, a true allergy to the sodium hypochlorite in pool water can develop. This might result in irritation or dermatitis developing after exposure. Specialised skin patch tests can be used to detect this problem.
Those who are allergic to latex or to the chemical accelerants used in rubber manufacture may develop redness, swelling or dermatitis after exposure to rubber swimming caps, or the rubber on goggles. This is a rare cause of hand dermatitis in swimming instructors and parents assisting small children with their swimming gear. Lycra and vinyl caps can be used as a substitute for rubber. If latex allergy is suspected, then medical advice should be sought.
Swim training involving longer periods in the pool can aggravate acne in some teenagers. Usually lotions can be prescribed to assist with this.
Some individuals are susceptible to the development of itching or hives after water exposure. Water induced itching can sometimes be prevented by the use of moisturiser before and/or after swimming or by taking antihistamines. If this does not help then it is wise to consult a doctor. Water induced hives can be dangerous and medical advice should be sought.
Dr Jenny Byth - Dermatologist
