Preventing and Treating Swimmers Ear

Usually, the inside of your ear is protected from water, both by the ear's shape, and by a lining of "good" bacteria that helps prevent infection. But, when moisture gets trapped in your ear canal, it can dilute the lining of good bacteria, there's nothing to stop bad bacteria and fungi from growing. And this can lead to swimmer's ear.

Swimmer's ear (which is also called otitis externa) is an infection of the outer ear or ear canal. It's called swimmer's ear because swimmers, who spend a lot of time in the water, are especially prone to the condition. But other activities, like showering or shampooing your hair, can lead to swimmer's ear.

Swimmer's ear can cause pain, itching, a stuffy feeling, redness, flaky skin, and swelling in and around the ear effected. Swimmer's ear can also cause the lymph nodes in your neck to swell, can decrease or muffle your hearing, and can cause pus to drain from the effected ear.

If you have a severe case of swimmer's ear, you should see a doctor. Especially if:

• You experience hearing loss.
• The pain is extremely severe, or you're experiencing sharp and sudden pains.
• There is pus draining from your ear.

But minor cases of swimmer's ear can often be treated at home. And there are also ways to prevent swimmer's ear all together.

Use a blow drier to prevent swimmer's ear.

You can prevent swimmer's ear by keeper your inner ear dry. But you should never use an object, like a cotton swab or even your finger, to dry your inner ear.

Instead, use your blow drier. After you get out of the shower, return from a swim, or wash your hair, pull out a blow drier. Set it to the cool or warm setting. Holding the drier at least eighteen inches away, direct the air towards the inside of each ear for about thirty seconds.

Use ear plugs to prevent swimmer's ear.

Any time you go swimming, wear earplugs to keep water out. You can find different kinds of earplugs at the drugstore. Try them out to find the ones that are most comfortable for you.

Use peroxide to treat swimmer's ear.

If you suspect you have a minor case of swimmer's ear, a few drops of peroxide could help fight bacteria.

Use ear drops to prevent and treat swimmer's ear.

If the insides of your ears often get wet, or your ear has started to itch, look for over-the-counter eardrops designed to fight bacteria. Use these drops whenever your ears get wet. They can both prevent swimmer's ear, or stop a burgeoning case of swimmer's ear from getting worse.

Swimmer's ear can be an extremely severe condition. Luckily, it's relatively easy to prevent swimmer's ear, especially if you take the right precautions.