My DD complained of a sore ear 5 days ago.No other symptoms to go with it.I gave her some Motrin and it helped.At 3am this morning she woke me up with a sore ear again.No other symptons,fever ect...I gave her Motrin and it helped.She had been swimming ALOT in the last few days.Could it be swimmers ear?Can they get an ear infection with no other symptons?

By Heaventree on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:36 am:

Sherri, Global or CTV news just did a story on this yesterday. I think it was Global. They had a doctor on telling you how to prevent swimmer's ear. I did a quick search on Global but found nothing.

The doctor mentioned that to prevent swimmer's ear you should dry the ear out each time you swim and add a few drops of alcohol to the ear. Check with your doctor before doing this as I was only half listening when this segment was on.

I would take her to the doctor to have it checked out.

By Vicki on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:46 am:

Yes, they can have a ear infection with no other symptoms. I would go get a quick ear check!!

By Tripletmom on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:57 am:

Does anyone know the symptoms of swimmers ear? If it is an ear infection would she be contagious without other symptoms.She has a B-Day party today and we have a pig roast to attend also.I don't want her around anybody if she can get anyone else sick.My DH is working until 3pm today and her party is at 1pm.She's not complaining today but I don't feel comfortable with her going if she's contagious. TIA

By Heaventree on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 11:06 am:

Here you go:

Swimmer's Ear

By Tripletmom on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 11:14 am:

Heaventree,Thank-you soooo much.She did have an itchy ear last night also.The symptoms do sound like her.Her brothers have a doctor's appt.Monday morning and I'll get him to look at her ear too.I just hate not knowing what it is.Her B-Day party is at Build a Bear at the mall.I'm going to ask the pharmacist if any suggestions before Monday.Thx again for the link!!

By Luvn29 on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 11:31 am:

I used to get swimmer's ear all the time. My mom bought ear drops for me specifically for Swimmer's ear. You just put a couple drops in each ear either before or after swimming (I can't remember) and it would keep you from getting it. I got it every time I swam, but not with these drops. They also help after you have it, to dry them up and stop the pain. You can get it at Wal-mart or K-mart and it isn't very expensive.

By Heaventree on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 11:34 am:

Oh Sherri, let me know how build a bear goes, we were supposed to go to a charity one last weekend but my inlaws showed up.

By Pamt on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 12:51 pm:

Swimmer's ear IS an ear infection. It is called "otitis externa" which means an inflammation (itis) of the outer (externa) ear (oti). The "typical" ear infection that we think of babies and toddlers getting is "otitis media" or inflammation of the middle ear. I have had swimmer's ear in the past few years as an adult and IT HURTS!! Not just itching, but pain. I would actually try to get her in today if your doctor has Saturday hours or if you have a doc-in-the-box nearby. She shouldn't have to be in pain until Monday. They will give her antibiotic ear drops and a numbing medicine for it.

To prevent swimmer's ear you should put a couple of drops of alcohol or commercial swimmer's ear drops in each ear after swimming (except if your child has tubes, of course). Hope she's feeling better soon.

By Tink on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:11 pm:

We just got home from a trip to an Urgent Care facility and Seth has swimmers' ear and a middle ear infection. He was NOT thrilled with his two for one bargain! He was put on a round of antibiotics for the middle ear infection and a round of anti-inflammatory/antibiotic eardrops for the Swimmers' Ear. I hope your dd is feeling better soon!

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 11:12 pm:

Tink, I hope Seth is feeling better soon!

By Tayjar on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 09:56 am:

We just went through this with DS. Helpful hint: to dry ears completely, use a hair dryer. On low setting and being several inches from the head to avoid burns, aim the hair dyer at the ear, moving the hair dryer back and forth slowly. I used to have to do this after every bath or shower and after swimming. My DS was the king of ear infections.

By Tripletmom on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 12:15 pm:

My DD is feeling way better.Before her B-Day party on Saturday I bought some polysporin eye/ear drops.I put some in before the party and again about 5 hours later.I continued them yesterday and she feels no pain.I took her to the doctors this morning and he did say swimmers ear.He said to continue with what I'm doing and to completely dry her ears after swimming.If she does complain of ear pain in 3 days to fill the rx for garasone drops he gave this morning.Thanks for all the advice.I never thought of the blow dryer.He said do not use drops of alcohol in her ear,just to dry them completely. Thx again

By Tripletmom on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 12:16 pm:

Tink-How is Seth feeling? I hope better today.

By Tripletmom on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 12:19 pm:

Heaventree-My DD just LOOOOVED build a bear.She got to pick/stuff/sew her bear.She picked the cutest outfit.She came with a birth certificate and came in a nice box.She now wants her party next year there.

By Tink on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 12:26 pm:

Thanks for the well wishes, Dawn and Sherri. Unfortunately, he's really not feeling much better yet. We're only on the third day of antibiotics so I'm hoping this is the last day of him feeling this badly. Nights are so bad and we're both miserable from lack of sleep and his pain. His fever is down this morning so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for asking!

Heaventree, B-A-B is SO much fun! Both of my kids have two animals they've made and, I have to admit, that I'd LOVE to make one for myself. The monkey is just so darn cute.

By Vicki on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 08:10 pm:

It is a good sign that the fever is down, but I have always heard that antibiotics are usually in effect within 24-48 hours....if his ears are still bothering him tomorrow, I would call the dr again.