How to Treat Swimmer's Ear

It was a great weekend at the lake; you swam, water-skied and dunked Uncle Jim. However, now you have an earache the size of Texas and even a small nudge on your infected ear sends spasms of pain shooting directly into your head. Ouch. You have swimmer’s ear, and you need some relief—fast.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Treat swimmer's ear on your own with over-the-counter medications that fight bacteria. Alternately, make your own remedy at home from an equal mixture of warm water and white vinegar. Tilt your head and fill the ear with the solution, allowing it to soak for 10 minutes before draining.
2. Blow your swimmer's ear away. After a bath or swim session, set your blow dryer on warm and hold it at least 20 inches from your head, gently allowing the warm air to enter the ear canal and dry excess moisture.
3. Use warm compresses to relieve the pain. Wet a clean washcloth in hot water and wring out before applying to the ear while lying down. Repeat as often as needed to alleviate the discomfort associated with swimmer's ear.
4. Take over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for swimmer’s ear to relieve the pain. Children under 18 years of age should not take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
5. Apply a drop or two of mineral oil or lanolin to the ear canal before you go swimming. The oil acts as a shield against water, allowing it to drain freely from the ear.
6. Stay near the surface of the water. Although you can develop swimmer's ear in your shower, you have a better chance of developing a water-related infection if you dive deep. The pressure of the water increases in the ear canal as you descend.
7. Wear moldable wax earplugs when you swim if you are prone to developing swimmer's ear. Insert them while the ear is still dry to provide a moisture barrier. Alternately, choose a silicone variety for a softer fit.

Tips & Warnings

• The jury is still out on adding rubbing alcohol to your ear drops to dry out your ear canal. If you decide to use it, dilute it with the above water/vinegar mixture and apply carefully. Discontinue use if irritation develops.
• Call your doctor if the pain and swelling do not go away within a couple of days of home treatment or if your ear canal continues to swell and you experience drainage.
• Call your doctor if you develop a fever or the skin behind your ear reddens.