Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear is the name given to the pain in the visible ear or the ear canal. The main purpose of ear canal is to stop the entry of foreign particles in the ear.

This is possible because the length of the ear canal is such long that particles cannot enter easily. By this only infections are stopped. Ear wax and small hair are also present in the ear canal which helps the small microorganisms from entering the ear.

This condition mainly occurs in summers when people enjoy swimming a lot. This is why the name is given. People at any age can suffer from this but children suffer from this the most.

Causes

Now when an injury is caused to this ear canal which can be caused when you yourself clean the ear and the lining of the ear breaks. Excessive water due to bathing or swimming can also break the acidic environment in the ear which stops the entry of viruses and bacteria in the ear can also cause the infection. Sometimes artificial things in the ear like ear drums, ear phones, hearing aids can also cause swimmer’s ear. Living in moist environment for long can also be the reason.

Symptoms

Some symptoms could be pain in the ear, reduction in hearing, feeling stuffiness in the ear, yellowish or milky discharge from the ear.

Home Remedies

This situation can easily be rectified by some simple home remedies.

Take some baby oil, heat it and pour it in the ear. This would reduce the ear pain. Use hair dryer to dry the water inside the ear.

After showering or swimming dilute apple cider vinegar with alcohol or water and put in the ear. This would prevent the water from getting inside the ear and prevents further infection.

Hot heater bottle should be kept on the ear this would reduce the pain. But put a towel in between your ear and hot bottle otherwise your ear would be burnt.

Garlic due to its antibacterial properties is very useful in treating swimmers ear. You can buy garlic oil from market or boil 2-3 cloves of garlic in olive oil. Let it cool and then put it in the ears. This will give relief from pain immediately.