Ear Infection and Going Outside

Hi N.,

My daughter had her first ear infection when she was about 13/14 months old. I let her play outside as long as if it was cold I put a hat on her. My concern was keeping water out of her ears in the tub. So, now laying back in the water and I would cup my hand around her ear when I rinsed her hair.

I work in an ENT office and there is no evidence why a child could not play outside. So they them have fun and play. Just keep the ears covered!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck and hopefully this is your first and only ear infection.

Hi N.! How is your little one doing with the ear infection battle?

A friend of mine gave me a great tool for ear infections...onion juice! If you want the details let me know. She has other great tips for battling recurrent infections as well.

warmly,
M.

It's not a big deal if they go outside, but keep their ears covered very well with a thick hat. You could also put cotton in the ears under the hat. Good luck, it will be gone in 2-3 days, even without antibiotics.

Cold air passing over an infected ear can be very painful. Outside play and sunshine are good. Just make sure the ears are covered with a hat and it should be fine.

We have had SEVERAL ear infections and they only thing we avoided was getting water in our daughters ears at bath time. I say let you kids play outside. If you worried put on ear muffs. Good luck! Your lucky you made it this long with no ear infection.

N.,

If it was me, I think I would keep them in for a couple of days. I believe we heal better if we are well rested, even with the help of antibiotics. Also if you do go outside for any reason I always insist on the kids wearing hats, even when they are not sick.

Usually when my kids are sick, I let them watch all the cartoons or videos they want. They tend to lay quietly and rest, and for them its a treat.

Hope everyone feel better soon.

Hello N., im a mom and also a preschool teacher. There have been many studies done about letting kids play outside while sick, and actually it does help them. Myself I would make sure the child wears a hat in case of the wind, dont want child to make the ears ache anymore then they do. As a rule of thumb I do let mine outside if they are not running a fever and seem ok.

Hi N.,

My son used to get many many ear infections! His doctor told me it was okay to take him outside, but to make sure his ears were covered if it was cold or windy. Hope your little one feels better soon!

I would let it depend on the child. If they are comfortable with no fever, let them play. If they are miserable or in a lot of pain they won't want to anyway. Cold air actually has no effect on us (most of us...don't yell at me about asthmatics, etc.) despite what grandma used to think. Just read your childs behavior.

~L.

We get alot of ear infections. Keep water out of the ear.....if your child gets sick again or if they don't clear up from a cold......watch carefully because fluid can stay in or around the canal and sort of make things not good.