Why Does My Child Get Sick After Swimming?

Why Does My Child Get Sick After Swimming?

No school, lazy days, visits from the ice cream man, staying up later, hanging out with friends, riding bikes, and just being carefree and enjoying the good life; there are so many reasons why children love the summer. However, perhaps the activity that kids love the most during the summer and can’t seem to avoid is swimming! Whether it’s in a pool, in a lake, at the ocean, or at a waterpark, many children love to swim. In fact, for some kids, it might be hard to get them to stay out of the water! Some kids tend to get sick after a long day swimming at the pool. Why is that? Are there swimming-related illnesses that you should know about as a parent? Read on to learn more!

Why Does My Child Get Sick After Swimming?

If your kid is a water baby (or toddler, grade-schooler, tween, or teen), you love that he or she is having such a great time, is making so many wonderful memories, and is soaking up the fresh air and vitamin D, while also exercising. However, there’s just one problem. After a long day of swimming, your son or daughter seems to be ill.

Whether it’s flu-like symptoms, a headache, a stomachache, watery bowls, a runny nose, lethargy, or any combination of these or other ailments, you can’t help but wonder why it is that your child seems to get sick after spending a day at the pool.

Believe it or not, post-swimming illnesses aren’t as rare as they might seem. In fact, post-swimming pool illnesses are actually pretty common. Here’s a look at some of the most common swimming-related sicknesses and the reasons these ailments occur.

Crypto can cause diarrhea

No, not a cryptocurrency, but Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is a bacterium that is found in and transmitted by fecal matter, and it’s one of the most common causes of diarrhea. If your child comes down with the runs after swimming, chances are that he or she has been infected with cryptosporidium. This illness was likely spread by another bather who was recently infected with the bacteria.

Even the tiniest remnants of fecal matter (poo in the water) can contain this cryptosporidium, which can contaminate the water and come in contact with your son or daughter at water parks, private and public pools, and hot tubs.

Cryptosporidium can survive for several days in the water. The bacteria is pretty resistant to pool chemicals that kill germs. In natural bodies of water, cryptosporidium has to die out on its own. Your kiddo can pick up crypto by swallowing water even in the slightest amount while swimming. To prevent the risk of cryptosporidium, remind your child to avoid drinking any of the pool water – even tiny amounts, and always wash their hands.

Swimmer’s ear

Does your son or daughter pull at their ear and say that it feels itchy and/or full after spending the day splashing away? Does the outer canal of the affected ear seem red and appear to be swollen? Those are all hallmark symptoms that are associated with swimmer’s ear.

Swimmers ear is an infection that plagues the outer ear canal. It occurs when water and bacteria in the water get trapped inside the ear and proliferate. It’s important to treat swimmer’s ear as soon as it emerges. If you wait to treat swimmer’s ear it can worsen, your child can spike a high fever, and there’s even a chance that hearing loss could occur.

To treat swimmers’ ear, try over-the-counter swimmer’s ear drops. Homeopathic remedies, such as a few drops of colloidal silver inserted directly into the affected ear, are even more effective. In extreme cases, visiting a local urgent care clinic may be necessary.

To prevent future cases of swimmer’s ear, have your child wear ear plugs when swimming. Alternatively, squirt a few drops of Swim Ear, an over-the-counter remedy that dries up water trapped in the ear, or some rubbing alcohol in their ear.

Skin rash after the hot tub

While soaking in a hot tub might sound like a relaxing way to spend your evening, it can result in skin infections if chlorine levels are low, or if you have open wounds. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, otherwise known as “hot tub rash”, a bacteria, is a germ that thrives in warm water.

If your son or daughter develops red, itchy bumps which may or may not be filled with pus, after being in a hot tub, he or she might have a skin infection. Antibiotics might help, but oftentimes they don’t work and can cause other issues.

Instead, try natural remedies, such as soaking in a lukewarm oatmeal bath, applying colloidal silver directly to the rash, or making a paste of water and aluminum-free baking soda. Apply the paste to the affected areas for 15 minutes several times a day, and then wash it off with soap and water, as well as a clean, damp washcloth.

Types of Recreational Water Illnesses

Stomach and Intestinal Illness

Gastrointestinal illnesses can cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. The following gastrointestinal illnesses are commonly linked with recreational water activities.

  • Cryptosporidium (Crypto)
  • Giardia
  • Shigella
  • E. coli O157:H7
  • Norovirus

Skin Irritations

When enjoying water recreation activities, skin rashes, boils, allergic reactions to chemicals, and skin damage from the sun can occur

  • Hot Tub Rash – Pseudomonas dermatitis / Folliculitis
  • Swimmer’s Itch – Cercarial dermatitis
  • Swimmer’s Ear – Otitis externa
  • Cyanobacteria – Blue-green Algae
  • Chemical Sensitivity
  • Sun Exposure

 

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