Hear Us Out: Swimmer’s Ear Remedies
Pictured: Han’s Son Kai
Summertime typically means spending ample hours playing in the water, whether at a pool, lake, or beach. But all that time lapping up the waves can lead to a negative and painful infection: swimmer’s ear. Typically more common among children, swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is caused by bacteria or fungi breaking into the soft tissue of the outer ear (the part you can see outside the eardrum), where it grows and spreads. Here, we dive into the symptoms, causes, and remedies for one of summer’s pesky infections.
Causes
Swimmer’s ear doesn’t just happen to swimmers! All it takes is one occasion for water to get trapped in the ear canal—even bathing, showering, or simply spending time in a humid environment can cause it. Chlorine in swimming pools can especially dry out ears, leading to a higher risk of infection. Those who are immunocompromised, or have diabetes or eczema are also more at risk. Beware of Q-tips as well, as scratching the ear canal can cause an infection.
Symptons
Ear pain, muffled hearing, and/or fluid that drains out of the ear are all symptoms of swimmer’s ear. As bacteria gets trapped in the ear, you may also experience itchiness or irritation, in addition to a clogged feeling in the ear; swelling and redness; and swollen lymph nodes around the ear, neck, and jaw. In extreme cases, you may also notice pus or an offensive odor.
Remedies
Swimmer’s ear can go away on its own, but more often treatment involves antibiotic drops. Appropriate doses of Tylenol and Motrin can also be used to assist with pain. You can try home remedies as well, like a 1:1 ratio of diluted vinegar with hydrogen peroxide, which helps get rid of bacteria. Most importantly, keep the ear dry (no baths or swimming!), and avoid rubbing alcohol as it could dry out the ear canal too much and make it more susceptible to infection. If you do need to shower, cover a cotton ball with Vaseline and place it on the opening of the ear to keep water from getting in. If the infection continues to get worse, call your doctor.
Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent swimmer’s ear is to keep your ears as dry as possible! If swimming, wear earplugs and/or a swimming cap, even a shower cap while bathing. After spending time in the water, pat the ear area dry with a towel or use a blow dryer on a cool setting.
Swim Over to 501 Pharmacy for All Your Needs
No matter what this summer might throw at you, 501 Pharmacy has you covered. Come in to see us Monday through Saturday during our operating hours. Have a question? Feel free to give us a call at 984-999-0501.