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Seal Out Painful Swimmer’s Ear: Ultimate Guide to Prevention & Relief

It’s finally swimsuit weather, but taking a dip may leave you with an unpleasant souvenir: swimmer’s ear. This common summer pitfall is an infection in the outer ear canal causing itchy, red ears that hurt to touch. With some simple prevention methods and prompt treatment, swimmer’s ear doesn’t have to ruin your water fun.

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, occurs when water gets trapped in the ear canal after swimming or bathing. This moisture can carry bacteria that infect the delicate skin of the ear canal. Swimmer’s ear often crops up in the summer, but it can happen year-round in avid swimmers. People with eczema or ear injuries are also at increased risk.

How Can I Prevent It?

• Use earplugs when swimming to keep water out of the ear canal.
• Put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or vinegar in ears after swimming. This helps dry out any lingering moisture.
• Don’t insert cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal that could cause small cuts for bacteria to enter.
• Dry ears thoroughly after showering by gently wiping the outer ears with a towel.
• Consider prescription ear drops after swimming that contain acids to discourage bacterial growth.

Recognizing Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear causes severe ear pain, itching, and muffled hearing. Pus may drain from the ear. Swelling of the ear canal can make it feel blocked. Turning, pulling on, or touching the outer ear intensifies pain. It usually only affects one ear. See a doctor right away if you develop these symptoms after swimming or bathing.

Treating the Infection

• Most cases of swimmer’s ear are treated with prescription antibiotic ear drops. These contain drugs like ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or hydrocortisone to fight infection. Use them as directed for a full course, usually 7-10 days.
• Oral antibiotics may be needed for severe infections.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help ease the discomfort.
• Avoid swimming until the infection clears up.
• Rarely, severe cases require professional ear cleaning or surgery.

With attentive prevention and prompt treatment, swimmer’s ear doesn’t have to ruin your plans for poolside fun this summer. Be proactive about keeping ears dry and bacteria-free.