Home Remedy for Swimmers Ear

Posted on November 6, 2007 - Filed Under Ear, Nose, Throat Ailments

What is Swimmers ear?

Medically known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear is an infection or inflammation of the external ear and ear canal. This is generally caused due to excess exposure to water. Due to overexposure to water, moisture penetrates the water-resistant layer in the ear and the skin becomes soft and wrinkled. This causes the bacteria and fungi to break in the skin’s normal barrier and easily slip inside the skin, causing swimmer’s ear.
Also when the ear is exposed to excess moisture the water is trapped and stays in the ear canal. This causes the skin to be soggy and the acidity, which the ear has naturally for preventing infections is diluted. The resulting malady is swimmers ear which is basically an ear canal and outer ear infection, but can also be a middle ear infection.

What is the cause of Swimmers ear?

School going children and children suffering from eczema and seborrhea stand a far greater chance in contracting swimmers ear. The common causes that lead to swimmers ear include:

  • Contaminated water which allows the growth of fungi or bacteria to the ear canal.
  • Cleaning the ears using sharp fingernails can tear delicate tissues of the ear canal leading to infection.
  • Chemical irritants as hairspray etc that may make way inside the ear canal and cause irritation.
  • Diabetes usually results in the earwax being too alkaline and thus inviting bacteria and other infections.
  • Folliculitis or an infected hair follicle within the ear canal can trigger a infection in the ear
  • Swimming, bathing and thus-exposure to any infectious organism can cause swimmers ear.

What are the symptoms of Swimmers ear?

Some of the symptoms of swimmers ear are :

  • Itchy or painful ear
  • Decreased hearing
  • Soft and white earwax appearing
  • Yellowish or milky discharge from the ear
  • Sharp pain in the ear
  • Buzzing or humming sound in the ear
  • Heaviness of the ear
  • Swelling in the ear or lymph nodes on the neck

What are the home remedies for Swimmers ear?

Some of the popular home remedies for swimmers ear are:

  • Place a few drops of white vinegar in both ears and leave for about five minutes before turning the ear down in order to drain the solution. Repeat this twice a day for three days. This remedy helps to fight any fungal or bacterial infection as the acetic acid stops the growth of bacteria.
  • Use three or four drops apple cider vinegar, diluted in equal parts with water or alcohol especially after swimming as this helps prevent future infection.
  • Warm some baby oil and pour into the ears with the help of a ear dropper and place a cotton ball to avoid draining the oil.
  • Make a mixture of equal parts water, peroxide, and white vinegar and put it in ear before bedtime.
  • When you are going to swimming pool apply some oil in the ears.
  • Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming.
  • Avoid swimming in dirty or polluted waters. Wear earplugs when you swim.
  • Do not poke the ear with fingers or sharp objects

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