Grommets and Water Precautions
The problem with getting grommets or middle ear ventilation tubes wet is that you can get an ear that discharges wet pus and mucous. This type of infected ear discharge is rare but can be annoying! The international guidelines are based largely on studies overseas and have found the rate of this problem is very low and it may be not worth avoiding water precautions.
However in Brisbane, Queensland most ENT surgeons recommend keeping them dry if possible. Why is this?
Our kids swim - A lot!
Environmental fungus is more common and fungal grommet discharge is very difficult to clear
When I talk with my patients about water precautions I advocate for a common sense approach to this issue.
Keep them dry if swimming initially whilst they heal into the ears. No precautions required during this time or later in the shower or bath as long as the head is not being submerged in water.
If your kid will fight ear plugs to the point of distress then just let them swim!
If they have had a discharging ear through grommets before then do go to extra length to keep them dry.
Do not submerge the head in dirty water like bathtubs, creeks or dams.
Don't panic if they do get wet, most likely it won't cause a discharging ear and if it does, come and see me and we can fix it.
If blocking the ears with a plug what to use?
A big plug of Blutak is fine!
Silicone putty from the chemist does the job too.
Docs Pro Plugs are available in my practice and are very convenient especially for adults. They are simple to size and use.
For children all of these techniques benefit from a soft swim cap over the top to hold it in.
Here my colleague Dr Clancy discusses how to make a blutak ear plug!
Here is the Cochrane guideline so if you decide to not use any water precautions then you know it's well supported by the best evidence.
