Safe summertime fun with a dollop of caution

What's in the water? That may be a question many parents ask this summer as families head off to the beach, water park, lake, river or backyard pool for some splashing good fun and frothy frolic.

But before jumping in, local health experts say it's important to pack a dollop of caution to avoid common side effects of the afternoon swim.

Avoiding swimmer's earAccording to Dr. Tom DeStefani, a board-certified pediatrician affiliated with the Central DuPage Physician Group, otitis externa is an all-too-common bacterial or fungal infection which occurs when the ear's protective coatings are washed away during daylong swimming sessions, and bacteria has a chance to grow.#8220;It's the swelling, redness, itching and pain which send most swimmers to the doctor for antibiotic ear drops,#8221; says DeStefani, who sees patients at HealthTrack offices in Glen Ellyn. Follow-up instructions commonly include advice to stay out of the pool for another week to 10 days and until pain-free for three days.The problem, says Dr. Ric Saguil, who has been practicing family medicine for more than 20 years and is affiliated with First Health Associates in Arlington Heights, is because of long-term exposure to water which causes wrinkling of the skin and deterioration of the ear canal's protective lining.#8220;When the lining of the ear becomes wrinkled and scratched, it opens the path for bacteria,#8221; Saguil explains. #8220;Drying time is important to allow young ears to dry and skin to rehydrate. Some swim team parents say using a peroxide and alcohol rinse serves as a good preventive measure, but the jury is out on effectiveness.#8221;Ear plugs and swim ears may lend swimmers another layer of protection, but for kids who like to take them in and out, additional rubbing and scratching may be counterproductive.#8220;The ear plugs with expandable foam are especially favorable environments for harboring bacteria,#8221; he says.Navigating the neighborhood pool While parents may like the idea of children swimming the summer away, health experts caution to be on guard for a variety of chemical and bacterial irritants.#8220;Proper supervision, swim lessons, and basic first aid, CPR and safety understanding are important,#8221; Saguil notes. #8220;But it's also important to understand a few other health issues which can turn a day of fun into something much less enjoyable.#8221;While crystal clear pool waters may look tempting, Saguil cautions that pool chemicals like chlorine and brominem which kill off most bacteria, aren't foolproof.According to the Centers for Disease Control, chlorine can prevent the spread of many recreational water illnesses, but certain germs like cryptosporidium, giardia and E-coli seem to linger and can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Germs are spread by feces and one person can contaminate and entire pool, making thousands sick.#8220;Don't swallow pool water, shower before and after each swim, and make certain babies and toddlers wear swim diapers in the water,#8221; says Saguil, who says guidelines require pool closures to allow time to shock the waters and re-establish safe levels following a fecal incident.Overzealous use of chemicals also can be a concern, especially for children with underlying medical conditions like asthma or those who are susceptible to various respiratory ailments, adds DeStefani, who has been in practice for 27 years and is affiliated with Central DuPage Hospital.#8220;Proper pool maintenance to monitor pH and chemical levels as well as proper ventilation is vital,#8221; notes DeStefani. #8220;Chlorine also is a chemical toxicant which can cause stinging eyes, nasal irritation and breathing problems.#8221;According to the World Health Organization, high levels of other chemicals like bromate in pools may cause coughs, sore throats and irritation of the respiratory tract. Those same levels also may cause skin irritation including rash and allergic dermatitis. Sensitive swimmers, WHO authorities say, should avoid bromate-containing pools.Water park wisdom for parentsWhile water spritzers and cooling sprays aren't likely to spread bacteria, Saguil says the zero-depth walk-in pools which attract adults, children and toddlers alike, play host to a variety of bacteria. So, too, he says, do floors in locker room shower facilities, notorious for the spread of bacterial and fungal foot infections.#8220;It is important to shower off before and after a swim,#8221; says Saguil, but wearing swim shoes or some type of a flip-flop shoe are important to avoid common infections and foot fungus left by previous visitors.#8221;Heading to the great outdoors?Whether it's a lake, river or pond, heading to the great outdoors doesn't always guarantee cleaner, safer swimming experiences.#8220;Pay attention to beach warnings regarding E-coli or dangerous rain water runoff levels,#8221; cautions DeStefani. #8220;Heavy rains can cause waste water to seep into lakes, rivers and other bodies of water.#8221;Overheating in the hot tubWhile many recreational facilities ban children from hot tubs, hotels and residential homes may not.#8220;Fun and frolic is the name of the game for most youngsters, who often fail to pay attention to slippery surrounding surfaces or the water's 104-degree temperatures,#8221; says Saguil. #8220;Children's internal body temperatures fluctuate more quickly than adults and they are apt to not notice rapid heart rates or distress while having fun with friends. It can become a dangerous situation very quickly.#8221;A bumpy hot tub rash also isn't uncommon, according to Saguil, who says the same folliculitis rash can be caused by pools where chemical levels are not scrupulously maintained.#8220;If your child is in the hot tub, the visit should be brief and well-supervised,#8221; cautions Saguil, who says toddlers with swim diapers should never be placed in a hot tub.A sip from the backyard hoseWith memories of a cool thirst-quenching summertime sip from the backyard hose lingering from childhood, Sanquil says it's a different world today.Sipping from the hose can pose significant health risks due to backyard and lawn pesticide exposure, vinyl hose coverings which have heated in the afternoon sun and fertilizers, weed killers, ant and bug sprays, and other contaminants, he notes.#8220;It's safest to drink from your own bottled water container or thermos,#8221; recommends Saguil, who says even public water fountains can become contaminated quickly as youngsters, many with summertime colds and allergies, place their lips directly on the water spout, which harbors bacteria from previous drinkers.#8221; 38662577Crystal clear pool water looks inviting, but be sure the chemicals have been balanced correctly to kill germs and keep your skin safe from irritation. 40002657Do not swallow pool water and take a shower before and after swimming to keep bacteria under control. 25703878Babies and toddlers should wear special swim diapers if they swim in a pool. 31563156SwimmerÂ’s ear is a hazard when water washes away natural oils and enables bacteria to attack the skin. Allowing the ears to dry out at intervals during a day of swimming will help. 26573543The backyard hose can provide lots of cooling-off fun, but resist the urge to take a drink. Dangers include pesticides, weedkillers, fertilizers and other contaminants. 27253658Children are at risk in hot tubs because their body temperatures fluctuate rapidly. If children use the hot tub at all, it should be for short intervals and supervised.