Ruptured Eardrum and Swimming

My son had an ear infection with a ruptured ear drum on Wednesday. The doctor looked at it, said it had ruptured, and said "but it is already sealing". She didn't say anything about not bathing or swimming, and I just thought of it now. My son has swim lessons early Monday morning. He's missed the last two weeks, so I'd like to go if he can, but I don't want to hurt his ear. His ear drained just a little bit more after seeing the doctor, but hasn't (noticeably) drained for a few days. I'll try to ask the doctor, but the lesson is early Monday so I probably won't hear back in time. So, to swim or not so swim?

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So What Happened?™

My son is only 1.5, so I decided not to do the ear plugs ... I could see them not going over well. I took him to swim lessons, but asked the teacher not to put his head in the water (he could still participate in many of the activities). During lessons, the doctor called and said he was ok to go in the water, as long as he didn't go deeper than 2 ft under.

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C.O. answers from Washington DC on April 03, 2011

You can buy the wax buds to put in his ear...they seal it from getting water from the shower or the pool/beach into the ear canal - LOVED them!! They come in funky colors so you can see that they are still in place.

The first time using the "molds" is a little funky - at least it was for me - but the second time was a snap!!! Go to your local pharmacy and ask for the ear buds or wax seals for ears..they will help you!

2 moms found this helpful