I know this is a bit iff topic, but...

Its the beginning of swimming season, which means some of you and your children will be getting ear infections and since I get them even if a drop of shower water sneaks its way into my ear, i have a few experience tips:

*I AM NOT A DOCTOR! IF YOU HAVE AN EAR INFECTION, GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND FOLLOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY! THESE ARE ONLY TIPS!*

1: Hygiene! Your immune system might need a bit of help from you during an ear infection. Wash your hands regularly! Take showers every other day while keeping your infected ear covered so water can't get in and eat as healthy as you can.

2: Take painkillers to ease that horrible pain. Your ears are extra sensitive so the slightest thing can make an ear go crazy. Night time might be the worst time for you so take a pain killer right before going to sleep.

3: Sleep with you head propped up. Use 2 to 4 pillows to keep your head up so your ear can drain if need be and it puts less stress on your ear.

4: Take this time to relax as much as you can. A bad ear infection is very stressful and more stress on top of that will just make it worse.

Wear your favorite baggy PJs and tie your hair up. Rock that comfy look! Look as "ugly" and "careless" as you want! You're sick, so give yourself a break.

5: Take any prescribed medicine like its your job. You want that pain gone asap so be on point with those antibiotics.

6: If the pain seems to get bad, try walking around your home slowly (avoid going outside unless you have to) and avoid sudden movents. Your balance might be compramized so you want to move around slowly but you still want your blood to get pumping. I found that this eases my ear pain after about 10 minutes. I usually do this once the pain killers start wearing off.

7: This! THIS IS A LIFE SAVER! If you have plugged ear that wont budge and have an aerosol machiene at home, use it for about 3 days morning and night. This will help with drainage. If you dont, boil some water and put a washcloth around your hear and breath in that steam. I have also found that a hot water bag under my infected ear helps too if the fluid buildup os not too much.

Thank you and i wish you a safe and fun summer!