The name swimmer’s ear can make one think is condition is only for swimmer’s, but that is not the case. Swimmer’s ear often occurs from a bath, taking a shower, or to a person who lives in a hot, humid climate. Otherwise known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear can occur when trapped water and moisture gets built up in the ear canal for a prolonged period. Bacteria then grows on the skin of the outer ear and ear canal which leads to an infection. Now that it’s summertime, the conditions are perfect for a case of swimmer’s ear. This condition is not something you want to develop, as it’s painful and will keep you out of the pool. The symptoms often include redness, swelling, soreness, itchiness, pain, vertigo, and pus drainage from the ear. Luckily, this condition is easy to prevent.
Don’t let a case of swimmer’s case run your summer. Have fun this summer and stay in the water by following these simple swimmer’s ear prevention tips.
1. Tilting your head side to side also helps drain out any excess water. Do this every time you get out of the water.
2. When you get out of the water and have removed any excess water, make sure to towel dry your ears.
3. Use this tip with extreme caution and keep some distance. You can use a hair dryer on it’s lowest setting to alleviate moisture. Make sure you hold it at least 12 inches from your ear.
4. Medicated ear drops are available that help absorbs any excess water. You can also use a mixture of 1 part rubbing alcohol to 1 part white vinegar to help promote drying and prevent bacteria growth. However, if you suspect or have a ruptured ear drum do not put anything into your ears.
5. Use swimming earplugs when swimming. Earplugs are especially important when swimming in rivers and lakes due to the higher bacteria content. Don’t use the traditional foam plugs, instead, get a pair designed for water.
6. Use a shower or bathing cap if you are not washing your hair.
7. Improperly cleaning your ears can damage your ear canal and make it more prone to infection. While having too much or too little ear wax can cause problems, ear wax plays a vital role in preventing swimmer’s ear. Ear wax can repel the water and lower your chances of developing this painful condition.
8. Avoid cutting or scratching your ears, as this is an infection waiting to happen.
9. If you have allergies, seborrhea, or eczema make sure you are getting treated by your doctor. If you have dry, flaky, and itchy skin, you are more likely to get swimmer’s ear.
10. Use cotton balls or ear plugs when you are using hairspray or another irritating chemical. These chemicals can make you more susceptible to infection, so keep them out of the ear canal.
11. Hearing aids can push earwax further into the ear canal, so if you wear a hearing aid make sure you remove it as much as possible. They can create moisture on hot days, so take them out, so your ear has a chance to dry out.
12. If you own a pool or hot tub, check the disinfectant and pH levels at least twice a day. If these levels are off, the likelihood of germs spreading is much higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by trapped water and moisture that allows bacteria to grow. Despite the name, it can affect anyone, not just swimmers, especially those exposed to water from baths, showers, or living in hot, humid climates.
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear often include redness, swelling, soreness, itchiness, pain, vertigo, and pus drainage from the ear. These signs indicate the infection and inflammation of the ear canal and require prompt attention to prevent worsening.
To prevent swimmer’s ear, tilt your head side to side to drain water, towel dry your ears thoroughly, and optionally use a hair dryer on the lowest setting held at least 12 inches away. Using medicated ear drops or a mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar can also help dry out excess water and prevent bacterial growth.
Yes, it is important to use swimming earplugs designed specifically for water exposure rather than traditional foam plugs. Water-specific earplugs help block bacteria-rich water, especially when swimming in rivers and lakes, reducing the risk of infection.
Yes, earwax plays a vital role in protecting the ear by repelling water and preventing bacterial infections. However, improper cleaning or excessive removal of earwax can increase susceptibility to swimmer’s ear by damaging the ear canal.
Hearing aid users should remove their devices when possible to allow ears to dry, especially on hot days when humidity can build up. Hearing aids can push earwax deeper, trapping moisture and increasing infection risk, so proper ear care is essential.
Maintaining correct disinfectant and pH levels in pools and hot tubs is crucial, as imbalanced conditions increase the likelihood of harmful germs spreading, thereby raising the risk of swimmer’s ear infection.
