Here’s what you should know about your child’s health and water safety before heading out for summer pool adventures. For more details, feel free to call us or schedule a telemedicine appointment. We proudly serve patients from Coral Springs, FL, Parkland, FL, Tamarac, FL, Margate, FL, North Lauderdale, FL, and Coconut Creek, FL.
As the warm weather arrives, so do sunny days filled with fun and swimming. If your summer plans involve plenty of pool time, it’s important to be aware of your child’s health and safety in the water.
Swimmer’s Ear
Is your child dealing with swimmer’s ear? This common condition happens when bacteria or fungi infect the ear canal. Prolonged exposure to moisture, such as regular swimming, can weaken the delicate skin in the ear canal, leaving it vulnerable to infection.
Pain is the most common symptom of swimmer’s ear. Older children might report discomfort, while younger ones may tug or pull at their ears. Additionally, your child may experience clear, cloudy, or yellow discharge from the ear(s). While swimmer’s ear can be uncomfortable and affect hearing, it is treatable. A visit to an urgent care center can quickly diagnose and begin treatment. Antibiotic ear drops usually resolve the infection within 7 to 10 days.
Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)
Swimmer’s ear isn’t the only concern when it comes to water-related infections. Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are infections caused by exposure to contaminated recreational water, such as pools, waterparks, splash pads, lakes, oceans, rivers, or streams.
RWIs are typically spread when individuals inhale, swallow, or come into contact with contaminated water. Some water sources, like pools and hot tubs, may also cause issues due to their chemical content.
The CDC notes that the most commonly reported symptom of an RWI is diarrhea, but these infections can also cause skin, eye, respiratory, and neurological issues. Children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
If your child develops an unexplained infection or gastrointestinal symptoms after swimming, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Depending on the cause of the RWI, your child may need medical treatment.
Pool-Related Injuries
Water-related illnesses are not the only safety concerns when it comes to summer pool activities. Preventing injuries is a top priority. According to the CDC, nearly 4,000 people drown in the U.S. each year, with children and young adults being the most vulnerable.
Children between the ages of one and four years old are at the highest risk of drowning in pools, spas, or hot tubs. To minimize the risk of drowning and other pool-related injuries:
- Always supervise your child. There’s no substitute for vigilant adult supervision. Never leave your child alone near water.
- Establish pool rules. Make sure your child knows basic pool safety rules such as no running, no diving (unless in a designated area), no rough play, and never swimming without an adult present.
- Consider swimming lessons. If your child doesn’t already know how to swim, enrolling them in swimming lessons with a qualified instructor is a good idea.
- Learn CPR. Even though lifeguards are usually trained in CPR, it’s valuable for parents to learn CPR as well, particularly if you have a pool at home.
While drowning is the most severe pool-related safety risk, other unintentional injuries can happen. Wet surfaces and rough play can lead to anything from minor scrapes to sprained ankles and even broken bones.
If your child experiences a pool-related infection or injury, don’t hesitate to contact Walking Urgent Care, Inc, for assistance and more information.