Authored by Brandy Burgess in Diseases
Published on 11-16-2009
Swimmers ear, or otitis externa, is a type of inflammation or infection that occurs in the external ear. This infection is usually caused when water is exposed to the ear canal. When a person drenches the ear, usually when in a bathtub or swimming pool the moisture penetrates a water-resistant layer located in the inner ear, causing the skin to become soft and wrinkled. This is usually caused when the ear is under water for a long period of time. The bacteria that is located in the contaminated water soaks into the skin, causing swimmers ear.
If you have never experienced swimmers ear, you may not know what signs and symptoms to look for. Various signs and symptoms that could be an indication of swimmers ear are as follows:
- Painful or itchy ear
- Sensitivity to any ear movement
- Reduce hearing
- Soft or white earwax
- White or yellowish discharge from ear
- Sharp pains in the ear
- Buzzing or humming sound inside the ear
- Swelling of the ear or neck lymph nodes
- Heaviness in the ear
- Sore or scaly appearance on the outer ear
There are various home remedies for swimmers ear that you can use to try to ease the pain in the ear. If you are suffering from a mild case of swimmers ear, treat it with a few drops of white vinegar. The vinegar should be dropped into both ears. Allow the vinegar to sit in the ear canal for about 5 minutes and then turn your ear down to allow any excess to drain. Repeat this twice a day for three days to help kill any bacteria or fungal infection that may be involved.
Another home remedy for swimmers ear that helps to clear up a current infection and prevent future infections is the use of apple cider vinegar. When water begins to clog the ear, place about 4 drops of apple cider vinegar into the ears. This should be done after swimming or showering. Dilute the vinegar with an equal amount of water.
The next home remedy for swimmers ear includes dropping baby oil into the ears. Heat the baby oil until it becomes warm. Pour the oil into the ear and carefully place a cotton ball into the opening of the ear to avoid the oil from draining. Another simple at home method to treat swimmers ear is to evaporate the water in the ear by using a blow dryer set on warm. Allow the warm air to enter the air canal for about 1 minute. This will help to evaporate any trapped water in the ear.
The last home remedy for swimmers ear includes a mix of equal parts water, white vinegar and peroxide. Use a dropper to place a few drops of the solution into each ear. Allow the solution to stay in the ear for about 1 minute before tipping the head to drain the excess. Before heading to bed, place a cotton ball into the ear.
Flushing the ears after getting out of the shower or pool is the best way to prevent this type of ear infection. Avoid swimming pools that appear polluted or dirty to prevent bacteria build-up in the ear. Do not place objects in or around the ear to prevent passing any bacteria to the ear canal.
