It seems that even simple Summer fun comes with risks, and if you're cooling off in the pool this season, you're at risk for swimmer's ear. When your ear is exposed to excess moisture, whether from swimming or bathing, water can become trapped in your ear canal.
The delicate skin inside your ear can then become soggy and begin to break down. When this happens, water dilutes the acidity of the ear canal, allowing bacteria or fungi to penetrate the skin, causing a painful infection. And according to otolaryngologist Dr. Barbara Schultz, it can happen to anyone. Fortunately, swimmer's ear is easy to prevent.
Learn how to make your own preventive ear drops when you read more.
The infection that causes pain, tenderness, ringing, and itchiness in your ear is often treated with antibiotics, but you can take an inexpensive preventive measure. Schultz recommends putting drops in your ears at the end of your day in the water to restore the healthy pH balance of your ear canal. There are over-the-counter ear drops, costing around $3, or you can make your own simple solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar with rubbing alcohol to use as drops. Don't be tempted to stick a Q-tip in your ear to remove the water, as that can irritate and puncture the skin lining your ear canal and set the stage for an infection.
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Zagliani
i have been doing the rubbing alcohol trick since i was a kid.
1I used to get Swimmer's Ear real bad as a kid. my mom would douse a cotton ball (not q-tip!) in rubbing alcohol and just squeeze 1 - 3 drops in my ear (I would lie on my side) to dry all the water up post-swim and prevent me from actually getting infected. she was an NCAA swimmer so I trusted it then and now!
2I, too, used just isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) without the vinegar. It worked well, when I remembered to use it! I got a mini Nalgene dropper bottle and kept it in my swim bag, so I would always have it.
3If I can add to the suggestion, it also works to clean your ears out with 3% peroxide before going swimming to get rid of the excess ear wax. This makes it harder for water to get caught in the ear.
4LOL This might have been helpful like a week ago.. I'm suffering of swimmer's ear right now and it's been a week on the antibiotics. It's a pain! So, yea.. definitely doing the preventative measure next time
5Good to know. I tried to wear those gelly ear inserts, and they are awful. They hurt to put in, and sometimes, water still gets in, which interrupts your swim... glad to know this.
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