When Are Big Tonsils a Problem? A Parent's Guide to Enlarged Tonsils in Children Many parents are told during a routine GP visit, "Your child has very large tonsils." The next question is almost always: "Do they need removing?" The answer is not always. Some children have naturally large tonsils that never cause any problems. Others develop breathing difficulties, disturbed sleep, repeated infections or poor school performance because their enlarged tonsils partially block the airway. Understanding the difference helps parents make informed decisions. As a Consultant ENT Surgeon seeing children across London, East London, Brentwood and Essex , one of the commonest questions I hear is: "How do I know whether my child's tonsils are normal or actually causing problems?" This guide explains exactly what parents should look for. What Are Tonsils? Tonsils are part of the body's immune system. They sit on either side of...
Otitis Externa and Otinova: A Practical, No-Nonsense Guide If your ear suddenly feels itchy, sore, blocked, or painful after swimming or showering, you may be dealing with otitis externa —often called “swimmer’s ear.” The good news: most cases are very treatable with the right early steps. This guide explains what otitis externa is, why it happens, where Otinova fits in, and when to escalate quickly. What is otitis externa? Otitis externa is inflammation (and sometimes infection) of the skin lining the external ear canal. It commonly presents with: Ear pain (often worse when touching or pulling the outer ear) Itching Fullness/blockage Reduced hearing from swelling/debris Sometimes watery discharge Otinova’s own instruction documents describe it as treatment for ear canal inflammation/eczema (swimmer’s ear). Why does it happen? The ear canal is protected by a mildly acidic environment and a skin barrier. Otitis externa tends to flare ...