What precautions should be taken when swimming in summer?
Beware of acute otitis externa
During summer, ear care becomes even more crucial. Beyond increased swimming activities, high temperatures and humidity accelerate bacterial and fungal growth, leading to "swimmer's ear."Pool water entering the ears is a common cause of otitis externa. How can you prevent this infection?
Some people plug their ears with cotton or other objects. However, Dr. Jennifer Su, a health expert from Atlanta, advises that the correct approach is to leave earwax in place to protect your ears: "Leave the earwax; it helps protect your ears from swimmer's ear."If water enters your ears after swimming, immediate drying is essential. First, tilt your head to one side to allow water to drain from the ear canal. Gently tug the earlobe in different directions to help dislodge trapped water. For residual moisture, use a hairdryer on a cool setting, keeping it at least 10 centimeters away from your head.
Beware of Skin Allergies
Public swimming pools are essentially giant melting pots where people of all types gather, introducing vast amounts of bacteria. Coupled with the high cost of water replacement, pools are typically refilled only infrequently. This turns a small pool into a breeding ground teeming with bacteria and viruses, making skin allergies common.
If you have a mild allergy to chlorine in pool water, it's best to avoid using creams or ointments. After swimming, thoroughly rinse your body with warm water—preferably slightly hotter—and mild allergies should subside quickly. For slightly more severe reactions, you can take antihistamines like Claritin or Lorex. The cold remedy Black and White also works effectively.
Beware of Sinusitis
Due to high temperatures, the pores of all bodily organs are open and relatively more vulnerable.Most swimming pools use disinfectants and bleach for sterilization. Bleach's main component is sodium hypochlorite, a chemical that irritates nasal mucosa. Water containing bleach entering the nasal cavity can carry secretions and bacteria into the sinuses, potentially causing sinusitis, otitis media, and other symptoms.
Before swimming, first check if the facility has a valid Health Permit. Second, try to keep your neck and above out of the water to avoid prolonged submersion of your mouth and nose. You can use different swimming strokes for recreation. If possible, rinse your mouth and nose with saltwater after swimming.
Preventing Pharyngitis
Often occurs after inhaling or swallowing water, causing throat discomfort or pain, frequently accompanied by coughing. Mild cases may be treated with Dobell's solution gargles or anti-inflammatory lozenges. Severe cases require prompt medical examination.
Preventing Conjunctivitis
Many people experience red, gritty eyes after swimming, sometimes with increased discharge—signs of conjunctival inflammation. Post-swim conjunctivitis is often caused by bacterial or viral infections. Additionally, pool water disinfected with bleach can cause mild irritation, leading to non-infectious conjunctivitis.Swimming in natural rivers or lakes carries a higher risk of bacterial or viral conjunctivitis due to potential water contamination. Mild conjunctivitis from chlorine exposure in pools typically presents as slight redness after swimming and resolves without treatment.However, if symptoms worsen or swimming occurs in untreated water, bacterial or viral conjunctivitis may develop. Symptoms may be mild or unnoticeable immediately after swimming but typically worsen within 1-2 days, with increasing redness and discharge. Prompt treatment with antibiotic or antiviral eye drops is necessary.
Preventing Vaginitis
Women have shorter urethras, and the vagina is connected to the external environment, creating an easy pathway for bacterial infections.At swimming pools, it's common to see girls sitting on the ground or steps around the pool after swimming. Since many people walk barefoot on these surfaces, athlete's foot spores can adhere to the ground. Sitting on these areas can easily lead to fungal vaginitis. To prevent swimming-related vaginitis, avoid sitting in wet swimsuits on surfaces. Urinate immediately after swimming to help flush out bacteria.Thoroughly cleanse the external genitalia after swimming.