ReVision Wellness
Share
Pediatrics, re-imagined. Direct, transparent, compassionate care for kids + families at ReVision Wellness
Your child says their ear hurts after swimming. Is it swimmer's ear… or a regular ear infection?
This is one of the most common questions I get during the summer.
Swimmer's ear and middle ear infections can both cause ear pain, but they're actually very different problems.
Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal—the tunnel leading into the ear. It often happens after swimming because moisture gets trapped in the canal, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
Kids with swimmer's ear often complain that it hurts when you touch, pull, or wiggle the outside of the ear. The ear canal may look red, swollen, and tender.
A regular ear infection is deeper behind the eardrum. These often occur after colds, allergies, or upper respiratory infections.
Kids with a middle ear infection usually don't have pain when you tug on the ear. Instead, they may have fever, congestion, trouble sleeping, or seem generally miserable.
The treatment is different too. Swimmer's ear is usually treated with prescription ear drops, while middle ear infections may require a different approach.
So if your child develops ear pain after lots of pool time, don't automatically assume it's a standard ear infection.
The location of the pain—and whether touching the outer ear makes it worse—can provide a really important clue.
Babies and sunburn are a combination we never want to see.
During the summer, parents often ask me, 'What's the safest way to protect my baby from the sun?'
The answer depends on age.
For babies younger than 6 months, shade is your best friend. Use stroller canopies, umbrellas, hats with wide brims, and lightweight clothing that covers the skin. Whenever possible, avoid prolonged direct sun exposure altogether.
For babies older than 6 months, sunscreen becomes an important tool.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply it generously to exposed skin. Remember that sunscreen works best when it's applied before going outside and reapplied every two hours, or sooner if your child has been swimming or sweating.
And don't forget easy-to-miss spots like the ears, tops of the feet, back of the neck, and scalp if hair is thin.
Try to plan outdoor activities earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is less intense.
And remember, a single blistering sunburn during childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Sun safety isn't about keeping kids indoors all summer. It's about helping them enjoy the outdoors while protecting their skin for years to come.
A little prevention today goes a long way toward keeping your child healthy tomorrow.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is still circulating right now — even though school is out.
We’re seeing plenty of cases at daycares, camps, summer activities, and among siblings at home.
And despite the name, it doesn’t always start with spots on the hands and feet.
A lot of kids first develop fever, sore throat, decreased appetite, fatigue, or just seem extra cranky. Then a day or two later, the rash and mouth sores show up.
The mouth sores can be painful, and dehydration is honestly the biggest thing we worry about.
So the goal is fluids, fluids, fluids.
Cold drinks, popsicles, smoothies, yogurt — whatever your child will tolerate.
The rash itself can look alarming, but most kids recover completely within about a week.
And yes — it spreads very easily through saliva, coughing, sneezing, and even stool, which is why it moves quickly through groups of kids.
Most children can return to activities once they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours and are otherwise feeling better, even if the rash is still visible.
Call your pediatrician if your child is not drinking, not peeing much, becomes very lethargic, or if you’re concerned about dehydration.
Parents are surprised when I tell them this… but red, burning eyes after swimming usually are NOT from ‘too much chlorine.'
The irritation actually comes from chemicals called chloramines.
And chloramines form when chlorine mixes with sweat, dirt… and urine in the pool.
So yes — peeing in the pool contributes to the eye irritation and strong ‘chlorine smell’ people notice at public pools.
Proper chlorine levels are important because chlorine helps kill germs and keeps pools safe. The problem happens when chlorine gets used up reacting with contaminants.
That’s why well-maintained pools actually smell LESS harsh, not more.
Here’s how to help protect your child’s eyes this summer:
Encourage bathroom breaks before and during swimming.
Have kids shower before getting in the pool when possible.
Use swim goggles.
And rinse eyes with fresh water afterward.
Mild redness after swimming is usually temporary irritation.
But if your child has significant pain, swelling, light sensitivity, thick drainage, or worsening redness, that’s worth getting checked out because it could be something more serious than simple pool irritation.
So next time someone blames chlorine alone for burning eyes… the pool chemistry story is a little more complicated than that.
06/09/2026
Representing our favorite pediatric clinic super far away!!! 🌺
If your child gets a nosebleed, where you pinch the nose actually matters.
Most people pinch the bridge of the nose — up high by the bones. But that’s not where nosebleeds usually come from.
Most nosebleeds happen from tiny blood vessels in the front, soft part of the nose.
So here’s the correct way to stop a nosebleed:
Have your child sit upright and lean slightly forward — not backward. Leaning back causes blood to run into the throat and stomach, which can cause nausea or vomiting.
Then pinch the soft lower part of the nose, right below the bony bridge. Hold firm pressure there continuously for 10 full minutes.
And don’t keep checking every 20 seconds to see if it stopped. Constantly letting go prevents clotting.
You can also use a cool compress on the cheeks or bridge of the nose, but pressure is the key.
Right now we see more nosebleeds because allergies, dry air, frequent nose blowing, and nose picking all irritate those delicate blood vessels.
Call your pediatrician if:
The bleeding lasts more than 20–30 minutes,
Your child seems weak or dizzy,
Or nosebleeds are happening frequently.
But most nosebleeds stop quickly when pressure is applied in the correct location.
Summer trampoline season is here… which also means pediatric ER season.
Every summer we see a huge increase in trampoline injuries — and most parents are shocked by how serious they can be. Broken arms, broken legs, concussions, neck injuries… even spinal cord injuries.
The biggest risk factor? Multiple kids jumping at the same time.
Especially when the kids are different sizes.
A larger child creates a much stronger bounce force, which can unexpectedly launch a smaller child into the air. That’s when we see awkward landings, fractures, and head injuries.
So if your family uses a trampoline, here are the most important safety rules:
One jumper at a time.
Always use safety netting.
No flips or somersaults.
And close supervision, especially for younger kids.
I know trampolines are fun. I’m not here to tell families they can’t have them. But I do want parents to understand that trampolines are not harmless backyard toys.
A few simple rules dramatically reduce the risk of a summer ending with an ER visit.
If your kid has allergies and you’re not doing this one thing… you’re making it harder than it needs to be.
Let’s talk about nasal rinses—one of the most effective, drug-free ways to treat seasonal allergies.
All that pollen floating around right now?
It gets trapped inside the nose and keeps triggering symptoms.
A simple saline rinse:
Washes out allergens
Reduces congestion
Helps kids breathe better
Can even reduce the need for medications
And no—you don’t have to jump straight to a neti pot.
For younger kids, try:
Saline spray
Gentle squeeze bottles
Mist systems
Pro tip:
Use it after outdoor play or before bed to clear everything out.
Is it glamorous? No.
Does it work? Absolutely.
Most kids tolerate it better than you’d expect—especially if you make it part of the routine.
If your child is struggling with constant sniffles, congestion, or itchy noses this season…
Start with a rinse.
Sometimes the simplest tools are the most powerful.
Not every cough is a cold—and this time of year, it usually isn’t.
If your child has a lingering cough but no fever and seems otherwise okay…
there’s a good chance it’s allergies, not an infection.
Here’s what’s happening:
Post-nasal drip—mucus from the nose dripping down the throat—can trigger a cough reflex.
Clues it’s allergies:
Worse at night or early morning
Comes with sneezing or itchy eyes
No fever
Lasts for weeks, not days
So what helps?
Nasal saline rinses
Allergy medications (if needed)
Showering after outdoor play
Keeping windows closed during high pollen days
What doesn’t help?
Antibiotics. This is not a bacterial infection.
If the cough is disrupting sleep, worsening, or you’re unsure—get it checked out.
But don’t panic if your child has “the spring cough.”
This is one of the most common things we see this time of year.
Understanding the cause helps you treat it the right way.
Melatonin is everywhere right now—but here’s what most parents aren’t being told.
Melatonin isn’t actually a sleep medication. It’s a hormone your body already makes to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
And here’s the key point: for most kids, sleep problems aren’t caused by a lack of melatonin.
They’re usually related to things like inconsistent bedtimes, too much screen time in the evening, or a routine that isn’t signaling to the brain that it’s time to wind down.
So when we give melatonin without addressing those habits, we’re often just putting a band-aid on the real issue.
Now, there are situations where melatonin can be helpful. Some children—especially those on the autism spectrum or with certain neurodevelopmental differences—may benefit from it when used thoughtfully and with guidance.
But for many families, there are other options worth considering before jumping straight to melatonin. Some parents find that supplements like magnesium glycinate or L-theanine can support relaxation and help ease the transition to sleep, especially when paired with good sleep habits.
That said, supplements aren’t a substitute for a solid routine.
What I recommend instead is focusing on building a strong sleep foundation. That means a consistent bedtime routine, turning off screens well before bed, and keeping sleep and wake times predictable—even on weekends.
Melatonin can be a useful tool in specific cases, but it’s not a shortcut to healthy sleep.
If your child is struggling, it’s worth stepping back and asking: what’s really getting in the way of good sleep?
Because that’s what we need to fix first.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Contact the practice
Address
Marshfield, WI
54449
