How to Deal with Swimmer's Ear

5 Kommentare

I’ve had a few issues since starting swimming on a daily basis years ago. Fortunately, a friend is an ENT and has helped me out numerous times. Now, I keep a dropper bottle of vinegar in my bag and add a couple drops on occasion to help dry the ears out. I also use hydrogen peroxide (on rare occasion, not regular maintenance) to bubble out deeper wax which has become impacted in the past from using q-tips.

Michael 15 März, 2023

A mixture of isopropyl alcohol and vinegar, half each, does the job. The

Don Ramer 15 März, 2023

All your recommendations are helpful, in my case ear plugs and the use of a hair dryer have the reduced the occurrence.

Al Recio 15 März, 2023

Useful information to learn, especially when you have kids to take care of. Ear infections seems to be common in children.

Mjalal 13 März, 2023

I use custom made ear plugs when I swim and sauna. They keep the water and sweat from entering my ears. Since starting to use them, I haven’t had a case of swimmers ear.

Mark Scarton 13 März, 2023

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Swimmer's ear is a painful condition that occurs when water enters the ear canal and causes irritation and inflammation. It can affect anyone who spends time in the water, including swimmers, divers, and surfers. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to deal with swimmer's ear and prevent it from becoming a more serious condition. 

In this article, we'll outline some of the best ways to deal with swimmer's ear and how to prevent it.

Dry your ears properly after swimming

Drying your ears thoroughly after swimming is essential to prevent swimmer's ear. When water remains in the ear canal, it can cause irritation and inflammation, leading to an infection. You can dry your ears by tilting your head to the side to allow any water in the ear canal to drain out. Gently pull your earlobe in different directions to help the water come out. You can also use a soft towel to dry the outer ear. If you have a lot of water in your ear, you can use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting. Hold the dryer several inches away from your ear and move it around to help the water evaporate.

Use Ear Drops

Ear drops are a simple and effective way to prevent swimmer's ear. There are several types of ear drops available, including those that contain alcohol to help dry the ear canal and those that contain antibiotics to treat any infection that may be present. Alcohol-based ear drops can be used before or after swimming. Tilt your head to the side and use a dropper to put a few drops in your ear. Wait for a minute or two to allow the drops to evaporate.

Antibiotic ear drops are prescribed by a healthcare professional to treat swimmer's ear. Follow the instructions carefully when using ear drops, and avoid using them if you have a perforated eardrum.

Avoid inserting objects into your ears

Inserting objects into your ears can damage the delicate skin of the ear canal and increase the risk of infection. Cotton swabs or bobby pins can push wax or debris deeper into the ear canal, causing blockages and infections. Instead, use a gentle ear wax removal kit or seek the help of a healthcare professional if you feel like you need to clean your ears.

Stay out of the water

If you already have swimmer's ear, it's important to stay out of the water until your symptoms have cleared up. Swimming can make the condition worse and increase the risk of developing a more serious infection. Avoid exposing your ears to water until you have completed a full course of treatment.

See a healthcare professional

If your symptoms persist or even worsen, it's important to see a healthcare professional. They can examine your ear and prescribe ear drops or antibiotics to treat the infection. They can also provide additional guidance on how to care for your ears, including how to prevent swimmer's ear from occurring in the future. If you have a history of swimmer's ear or other ear infections, talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take to reduce your risk. They may recommend using earplugs or avoiding certain types of water activities. 

Here are some tips on preventing swimmers shoulder, a swim-related condition similar to swimmers ear…

( 5 ) Comments

I’ve had a few issues since starting swimming on a daily basis years ago. Fortunately, a friend is an ENT and has helped me out numerous times. Now, I keep a dropper bottle of vinegar in my bag and add a couple drops on occasion to help dry the ears out. I also use hydrogen peroxide (on rare occasion, not regular maintenance) to bubble out deeper wax which has become impacted in the past from using q-tips.

Michael

A mixture of isopropyl alcohol and vinegar, half each, does the job. The

Don Ramer

All your recommendations are helpful, in my case ear plugs and the use of a hair dryer have the reduced the occurrence.

Al Recio

Useful information to learn, especially when you have kids to take care of. Ear infections seems to be common in children.

Mjalal

I use custom made ear plugs when I swim and sauna. They keep the water and sweat from entering my ears. Since starting to use them, I haven’t had a case of swimmers ear.

Mark Scarton

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