The ears are designed to be self-cleaning and self-protecting. Usually when water gets into the ear either through swimming or in a bath, the water will run out. However, water in the ear can cause some diseases, including swimmer's ear, one of several recreational water illnesses. Swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear canal, and the ear can become red, painful and itchy. Swimmer's Ear is caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa, a very common bacteria in water and soil. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cases of recreational water illnesses are increasing, especially related to swimming.
Use Ear Plugs
One of the best ways to keep water out of ears is to put something else in your ears. Ear plugs are readily available at most drug stores and retailers during the swim season and can be inserted into the ear canal prior to swimming. Since Swimmer's Ear is caused by a bacteria, it's important to clean the ear plugs between uses even during the same swim time, since the outside of the ear plug could become contaminated and deposit the bacteria in the ear canal that way.
To keep water from getting into your ears--especially if they are already infected--try placing a cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it into the ear.
Dry Immediately
The longer contaminated water stays in your ear, the more chance there is for an infection to occur as the water seeps below the protective layer of ear wax. When blow drying your hair, health care providers at the Mayo Clinic suggest putting the blow dryer on its lowest setting and blowing the warm air towards the ear from at least 12 inches away to facilitate drying the ear. Or, the CDC recommends placing a drying alcohol-based liquid in your ear.
Other Precautions
Bacteria grows more easily on skin that has been scratched or cut. Never clean your ears with a sharp object such as a paper clip or screwdriver. You may get rid of some of the ear wax, but you'll damage the skin it's protecting, making space for bacteria to thrive.
You can also try to remove bacteria from the ear and prevent infection by rinsing the ear canal with a solution of rubbing alcohol mixed with an equal amount of white vinegar. Health care providers at the Mayo Clinic suggest pouring one teaspoon of the solution into each ear and then letting it drain out. Don't do this if you think you've already punctured your ear drum though. In that case you'll need to see your doctor.
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