Grommets

What about ear infections?

Most people with grommets do not get any ear infections. If you see yellow fluid coming out of the ear, it may be an infection. It will not be as sore as a normal infection, and your child won’t be as ill. If you get some ear drops from your doctor, the problem will quickly settle. Some doctors may give antibiotics by mouth instead of antibiotic ear drops.

Can my child swim with grommets in?

Your child can start swimming a couple of weeks after the operation, as long as they don’t dive under the water. You do not need to use earplugs – the hole in the grommet is too small to let water through. You do need to avoid getting dirty or soapy water into the ear, so in the bath or shower plug your child’s ears with a cotton-wool ball covered in Vaseline.

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