Swimmer's ear is an infection that strikes the ear canal when the organ is exposed to excessive moisture on a regular basis. The medical term is acute external otitis, but the term swimmer's ear is used because swimmers often have a hard time keeping their eyes dry between training sessions. Symptoms include itching and discomfort inside the ear. You might also experience fluid drainage from your ear, and your physician will notice the inside of your ear is red. Home remedies for swimmer's ear includes ear drops that you can make yourself, and use before heading to the pool.
Alcohol
Drying out your ear to inhibit the growth of bacteria is the goal in preventing swimmer's ear. Alcohol is a drying agent and is safe to use as long as you do not have a punctured ear drum. "The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies" suggests inserting a dropper full of rubbing alcohol into your ear as a homemade ear drop or ear wash. Tilt your head so that the ear you are treating is facing up toward the sky. After dropping the alcohol into your ear, move your head around to distribute the alcohol evenly. Then tilt your head so that the treated ear is facing the floor to let the alcohol drip out.
Vinegar
MayoClinic.com suggests using white vinegar from your kitchen cupboards to treat swimmer's ear. Vinegar has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and might prevent the proliferation of infection in your ear canal. You can use vinegar alone or combine equal parts of rubbing alcohol and vinegar to treat your acute external otitis. Just as you treat swimmer's ear with alcohol, use a dropper's worth, swish it around your ear and allow the liquid to drain.
Oils
Baby oil, mineral oil or petroleum jelly can also be used to create a home remedy for swimmer's ear. The oils act as a protectant layer, similar to your ear wax. Use an ear dropper to place the oil into your ear canal and let the excess drain out in the same way you would use vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Placing a cotton ball saturated with petroleum jelly in your ear acts as a plug, to keep bacteria away from your ear while removing moisture at the same time.
