Swimmers ear, also known as otitis externa, most commonly occurs in children. Otitis externa is not the same as a middle ear infection. Swimmer's ear results from excess moisture getting trapped in the ear canal causing an ideal environment for bacterial overgrowth. This type of infection can be easily diagnosed and treated by a medical doctor.
Fix Swimmer's Ear
Step 1
Make a list of your symptom's to make your swimmer's ear diagnosis easy for your doctor. The symptoms of swimmer's ear include itching, redness, discomfort, muffled hearing and drainage. In more severe cases, a fever may be present and your lymph nodes may be swollen, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Allow your doctor to view your ear canal. Depending on the severity of your infection, your doctor may need to clean your outer ear canal.
Step 3
Administer prescription strength ear drops prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may place the medication on a sponge called a wick and insert the wick into your ear. This keeps the medication in contact with the infected ear canal, according to KidsHealth.org. Depending on your type of infection, the ingredients of your ear drops may include an acidic solution, steroids, antibiotics or antifungal medication.
Step 4
Use prescribed ear drops every day for the full duration they are prescribed, even if your swimmer's ear symptoms disappear sooner.
Step 5
Consult with your doctor about when you can swim again. In most cases, you can resume swimming within seven to 10 days.
Step 6
Use a pool strip test to check the pool before resuming swimming to ensure the water has adequate disinfectant and pH levels to avoid high amounts of bacteria from entering your ear.
Step 7
Purchase swimmer's ear prevention ear drops to administer after swimming. Using these drops can help keep your ears dry and prevent a bacterial overgrowth inside your ear canal. You can make a solution at home that is part white vinegar and part rubbing alcohol, according to MayoClinic.com. Pour 1 tsp. of this into the ear and allow it to drain back out.
Tips and Warnings
- Use bath caps and ear plugs to keep water from entering your ear. Use a towel to dry the outside of your ear. Do not take baths while treating swimmer's ear. Keep your ears dry at all times. If water does get into the ear, hold a blow dryer on a low setting several inches from your ear.
- Stopping prescribed eardrops early can result in a bacterial overgrowth that's more difficult to treat. Do not attempt to clean ears with a cotton-tip swab or any other object since this can scratch or puncture your ear canal, allowing bacteria to enter open cuts. These cuts are typically so small and painless that you are unaware of their existence.
Things You'll Need
- Prescribed ear drops
- Over-the-counter ear drops
- Towel
- Blowdryer
- Bath cap
- Ear plugs
