How to Prevent Swimmer's Ear in Kids: A Parent's Guide

How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear in Kids: A Parent’s Guide The best way to prevent swimmer’s ear in children is to keep their ear canals as dry as possible and to leave the ear canal alone. After every swim, help the water drain out, dry the outer ear gently, and use well-fitting earplugs or a swim cap if your child swims often. None of this is complicated, and once it becomes routine, it takes about a minute after each lesson. Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the outer ear canal. It is most often seen in children , and it is not something one child can pass to another. Swimming should be a happy, confident part of your child’s week, so this guide covers the habits that keep ears healthy, the signs to watch for and when to see a doctor. OyouguAquatics Build Safer Swimming Habits Oyougu Aquatics offers structured children’s lessons with a 1:6 coach-to-student ratio, supporting safety and skill development in the water. Explore swimming lessons Key Takeaways Dry ears are the foundation of prevention: tilt the head, tug the earlobe, pat the outer ear dry with a soft towel. Earplugs, a swim cap or custom-fitted swim moulds help keep water out, especially for children who swim several times a week. Never push cotton buds or other objects into the ear canal, and do not try to remove ear wax. Children with grommets, a perforated eardrum or ear drainage need a doctor’s advice before swimming or using any ear drops. Ear pain that lasts, discharge, fever or swelling behind the ear means it is time to see a doctor. Table of Contents What swimmer’s ear is and why swimming can trigger it Drying your child’s ears after every swim Earplugs, swim caps and custom swim moulds Can ear drops help prevent swimmer’s ear? Swimming with grommets or a history of ear infections Choosing where and when your child swims Signs of swimmer’s ear to watch for Our perspective: calm, structured lessons build ear-friendly habits Making ear care part of the swim-lesson routine Swim lessons with a small group and a patient pace FAQ Sources What swimmer’s ear is and why swimming can trigger it The skin lining the ear canal is thin and delicate. When water stays trapped in the canal, the skin becomes damp and irritated, and bacteria or fungi can settle in. In Singapore, the most common bacteria found in acute outer ear infections are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. epidermidis and S. aureus . According to St. Louis Children’s Hospital , children are more likely to get it when they: swim for long periods, especially in lake water do not remove excess moisture after swimming have scratched or injured the ear canal use hearing aids or earphones have skin irritation from allergies have a narrow ear canal That list shows that swimming itself is not the problem. Water that stays in the ear, and a canal that has been scratched or irritated, is what gives an infection its chance. Both are easy to manage. Drying your child’s ears after every swim This is the habit that matters most. The CDC recommends tilting the head back and forth so that each ear faces down and the water can run out, then drying the ears well with a towel. Pulling the earlobe in different directions while the ear faces down helps the water escape. Here is a routine that works for most children aged 3 to 12: Once your child is out of the pool, ask them to tilt their head to one side and hold it there. Some children like to hop on one foot, which makes it a game. Gently pull the earlobe up, back and down while the ear faces the floor. Repeat on the other side. Pat the outer ear dry with a soft towel. Do not push the towel into the canal. If the ear still feels full, a hair dryer can help. The CDC advises using the lowest heat and speed setting, held several inches from the ear . KidsHealth suggests keeping it on a low, cool setting at least 12 inches away. Keep the shower rinse quick, too. Water that goes straight into the ears after a lesson undoes some of the good work, so let your child rinse their hair and body while you keep the shower spray off their ears. What not to put in the ear It is tempting to reach for a cotton bud when a child says their ear feels blocked. Please don’t. Singapore doctors advise avoiding cotton swabs or other objects in the ear canal , and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia lists paper clips and hairpins alongside them. Scratches in the canal give bacteria an easy way in. Ear wax is also not your enemy. The CDC explains that ear wax helps protect the ear canal from infection , so it should not be dug out at home. Earplugs, swim caps and custom swim moulds A physical barrier is the second layer of protection. The CDC recommends a bathing cap, ear plugs or custom-fitted swim moulds to keep ears as dry as possible while swimming. Singapore’s Children’s ENT Centre specifically suggests earplugs for frequent swimmers . How to choose between them: Option Best for Things to know Silicone or moulded swim earplugs Children who swim once or twice a week Must fit snugly. Try them at home in the bath first so your child is used to the feel. Swim cap Children with long hair or who dislike earplugs Helps reduce water around the ears. A cap that covers the ears works best. Custom-fitted swim moulds Children who swim often, have had repeated ear infections or have grommets Made to the shape of your child’s ear by an audiologist or ENT clinic, so they are designed to stay in during active swimming. Be cautious with improvised barriers. Some home-care guides suggest cotton lightly coated with petroleum jelly as a plug, but because plastic earplugs that do not fit can slip or hurt, the simplest route is to buy a properly fitted pair made for swimming, or ask your child’s doctor about custom moulds. Helping your child get used to earplugs Children often resist earplugs the first time. Let your child hold them and put them in at home before the lesson. Show them how you press the plug gently in place, never deep into the canal. Praise the effort, not the result. If they find them uncomfortable, a swim cap is a good starting point, and you can try plugs again in a few weeks. Can ear drops help prevent swimmer’s ear? Some families use drying drops after swimming, but this is one to discuss with your doctor first. The CDC advises checking with a healthcare provider about ear-drying drops, and notes they should not be used if your child has ear tubes, a punctured eardrum, swimmer’s ear or ear drainage. KidsHealth gives the same caution for children with ear tubes or a ruptured eardrum . Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia describes a home mix of equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol, but only when you know your child does not have a punctured eardrum . Because you cannot see your child’s eardrum at home, a quick chat with your family doctor or a children’s ENT doctor is the safe way to decide. Swimming with grommets or a history of ear infections Children with grommets (ear tubes) can often still enjoy the water, but the advice depends on your child’s doctor and the stage of recovery. In Singapore, ENT guidance describes strict water precautions for 2 to 4 weeks after insertion , with cotton balls in the ears when bathing and no swimming or diving. After that, the same source says swimming with the head submerged is permitted, and a custom-made swimming mould can be considered for children with recurrent infections. SingHealth advises keeping ears dry after grommet insertion, not letting shower spray go into the ears, and avoiding diving or swimming in children below age 6. Older children can swim with good earplugs, but putting the head under water should be avoided. Medical opinions do differ here: the same Singapore ENT page notes that some international guidelines recommend against routine water precautions after grommets. That is exactly why your own child’s ENT doctor should give you the final word, and why you should tell your swim coach what the doctor has said. Choosing where and when your child swims Water quality matters. Doctors advise avoiding polluted or stagnant water , which can carry bacteria, parasites and other contaminants. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also suggests skipping lakes and rivers on days with high bacteria counts . A properly managed public swimming complex is a more predictable setting for regular lessons. A few other everyday habits help: Skin irritation raises the risk, so tell your doctor if your child has eczema or allergies around the ears. If your child uses hearing aids or in-ear headphones, give the ears regular breaks, as these are listed among risk factors . Keep general ear health in good order. Singapore’s Children’s ENT Centre mentions up-to-date vaccinations, good hand hygiene and avoiding secondhand smoke as steps that lower the risk of ear infections in general. Use a shower cap when bathing if your child already has an ear problem, as Singapore ENT clinics suggest . Signs of swimmer’s ear to watch for Even with great habits, an infection can happen. In a Singapore review, the main symptoms were pain, itch, reduced hearing and a feeling of fullness . The same article notes that a gentle tug of the outer ear usually causes pain with this kind of infection. Younger children may not describe it clearly. Look for: frequent ear pulling or tugging fussiness, especially when lying down trouble hearing or responding to sounds fever or feeling unwell fluid or discharge from the ear These are the common signs listed by Singapore’s Children’s ENT Centre . When to see a doctor See a doctor if your child has persistent or severe ear pain, high fever, noticeable hearing loss, discharge, balance problems, swelling or redness, or infections that keep returning. UK NHS guidance adds that you should contact a doctor or nurse the same day if there is swelling or increasing pain or redness behind the ear, dizziness, drowsiness, severe headache with neck stiffness, or a fever of 38.0°C or above alongside the ear symptoms. Treatment is usually simple. Kids Clinic Singapore says antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory ear drops are usually prescribed, and a child should begin to feel better within 36 to 48 hours. Children should not swim for 7 to 10 days after starting treatment, and the inside of the ears should stay dry except when giving the drops. Do not stop swimming for good, though. Most children recover well and return to the pool. Our perspective: calm, structured lessons build ear-friendly habits At Oyougu Aquatics, we see ear care as part of personal water safety, just like learning to float or breathe out under water. Children who learn one foundational skill at a time tend to feel comfortable in the pool, and that includes a simple routine for looking after their own ears. Our classes are capped at 6 students per coach, so we can notice when a child keeps tilting their head, tugging an ear or hesitating to go under the water. When you tell us your child has had an ear infection, wears earplugs or has grommets, we can pay attention to that in a small group in a way that is hard to do in a crowded class. Our lessons follow the national SwimSafer 2.0 curriculum and are developed in-house, taught by full-time coaches certified by NROC and SwimSafer. We never outsource our classes. Our advice is the same each time: build the routine, keep it light and let your child progress at a comfortable pace. Oyougu Aquatics Making ear care part of the swim-lesson routine A simple weekly routine keeps it easy for everyone: Before the lesson: Pack a soft towel, earplugs or a cap if your child uses them, and a hair tie for long hair. During the lesson: Tell the coach about any ear history, grommets or doctor’s advice. Small groups make this conversation easy. Right after: Do the tilt, tug and pat routine in the changing area. Keep the shower spray off the ears. At home: If an ear feels full later, use the low-heat hair dryer method. Do not reach for cotton buds. If something seems off: Pause lessons and see a doctor rather than waiting it out. For more on getting your child comfortable in the water, our guides on teaching your child to swim safely and swimming with toddlers cover what to expect. If you are wondering about frequency, see how often your child should swim . More frequent swimming means more reason to make the drying routine automatic. Swim lessons with a small group and a patient pace If you are looking for lessons where your child gets real attention, we teach children and toddlers at ActiveSG pools including Bishan, Delta, Jalan Besar and Teck Ghee, following SwimSafer 2.0 with a 1:6 coach-to-student ratio. Small Group Classes, Children’s Swimming Lessons and Toddler Swimming Lessons are S$130 per month, with no registration fees or deposits. You can start with a trial lesson at S$32.50 , a gentle way to see how your child settles in. See our children’s swimming lessons or toddler swimming lessons pages for details, or check the fees page for group and private options. If you are weighing what comes next for your child, our SwimSafer parent’s guide walks through the stages one by one. FAQ How can I remove water from my child’s ear after swimming? Tilt your child’s head so the ear faces down, gently pull the earlobe in different directions and pat the outer ear dry with a soft towel. If water remains, use a hair dryer on the lowest heat and speed, held several inches away, as the CDC advises . Never use cotton buds. Can swimmer’s ear get better on its own? Mild cases may settle, but you should not wait and see, because the infection is painful and can worsen. St. Louis Children’s Hospital notes that it usually clears within 7 to 10 days when properly treated . A doctor can examine the ear and prescribe the right drops. Do earplugs really help children avoid swimmer’s ear? They help keep water out of the ear canal, which is why the CDC lists ear plugs, bathing caps and custom-fitted swim moulds as ways to keep ears dry. A snug fit matters, so choose plugs made for swimming, or ask about custom moulds if your child swims often. Can a child with grommets take swimming lessons? Often yes, but follow your ENT doctor’s advice for your child’s stage of recovery. Singapore guidance describes keeping the ears dry after insertion and using good earplugs , so tell your coach what the doctor has said before the first lesson. What are the first signs of swimmer’s ear? Ear pain, itching, a feeling of fullness and reduced hearing are the usual early signs, and younger children may tug at the ear or become fussy. If you see discharge, fever or swelling, see a doctor promptly . Sources Preventing Swimmer’s Ear, CDC Healthy Swimming Otitis Externa, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Infections of the External Ear, Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore Can I Prevent Ear Infections When My Child Swims? KidsHealth Preventing Swimmer’s Ear in Your Child, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia How to Recognise and Treat Swimmer’s Ear in Children Ear Infection in Children, The Children’s ENT Centre Should water precautions be taken in children with grommets Ear - Otitis Media, SingHealth Otitis externa (swimmers ear) Advice Sheet, NHS Frimley Healthier Together Ear Infection in Kids, Kids Clinic Singapore Services, Apple ENT Centre Recommended Swimming and Eczema in Kids: A Singapore Parent’s Guide Swimming with Toddlers: Tips for Safety and Fun in the Water