Swimmer’s ear – Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

Doctors can usually diagnose swimmer’s ear during an office visit. If your infection is advanced or persists, you might need further evaluation.

Initial testing

Your doctor will likely diagnose swimmer’s ear based on symptoms you report, questions he or she asks, and an office examination. You probably won’t need a lab test at your first visit. Your doctor’s initial evaluation will usually include:

• Examining your ear canal with a lighted instrument (otoscope). Your ear canal might appear red, swollen and scaly. There might be skin flakes or other debris in the ear canal.
• Looking at your eardrum (tympanic membrane) to be sure it isn’t torn or damaged. If the view of your eardrum is blocked, your doctor will clear your ear canal with a small suction device or an instrument with a tiny loop or scoop on the end.

Further testing

Depending on the initial assessment, symptom severity or the stage of your swimmer’s ear, your doctor might recommend additional evaluation, including sending a sample of fluid from your ear to test for bacteria or fungus.

In addition:

• If your eardrum is damaged or torn, your doctor will likely refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). The specialist will examine the condition of your middle ear to determine if that’s the primary site of infection. This examination is important because some treatments intended for an infection in the outer ear canal aren’t appropriate for treating the middle ear.
• If your infection doesn’t respond to treatment, your doctor might take a sample of discharge or debris from your ear at a later appointment and send it to a lab to identify the microorganism causing your infection.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to stop the infection and allow your ear canal to heal.

Cleaning

Cleaning your outer ear canal is necessary to help eardrops flow to all infected areas. Your doctor will use a suction device or ear curette to clean away discharge, clumps of earwax, flaky skin and other debris.

Medications for infection

For most cases of swimmer’s ear, your doctor will prescribe eardrops that have some combination of the following ingredients, depending on the type and seriousness of your infection:

• Acidic solution to help restore your ear’s normal antibacterial environment
• Steroid to reduce inflammation
• Antibiotic to fight bacteria
• Antifungal medication to fight infection caused by a fungus

Ask your doctor about the best method for taking your eardrops. Some ideas that may help you use eardrops include the following:

• Reduce the discomfort of cool drops by holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes to bring the temperature of the drops closer to body temperature.
• Lie on your side with your infected ear up for a few minutes to help medication travel through the full length of your ear canal.
• If possible, have someone help you put the drops in your ear.
• To put drops in a child’s or adult’s ear, pull the ear up and back.

If your ear canal is completely blocked by swelling, inflammation or excess discharge, your doctor might insert a wick made of cotton or gauze to promote drainage and help draw medication into your ear canal.

If your infection is more advanced or doesn’t respond to treatment with eardrops, your doctor might prescribe oral antibiotics.

Medications for pain

Your doctor might recommend easing the discomfort of swimmer’s ear with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

If your pain is severe or your swimmer’s ear is more advanced, your doctor might prescribe a stronger medication for pain relief.

Helping your treatment work

During treatment, do the following to help keep your ears dry and avoid further irritation:

• Don’t swim or go scuba diving.
• Don’t wear an earplug, a hearing aid or earbuds before pain or discharge has stopped.
• Avoid getting water in your ear canal when showering or bathing. Use a cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly to protect your ear during a shower or bath.

Preparing for your appointment

Here are some suggestions to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms and when they started
• All medications, vitamins and supplements you take, including doses
• Your allergies, such as skin reactions or drug allergies
• Questions to ask your doctor

Some basic questions to ask your doctor about swimmer’s ear include:

• What is likely causing problems with my ear?
• What is the best treatment?
• When should I expect improvement?
• Do I need to make a follow-up appointment?
• If I have swimmer’s ear, how can I keep from getting it again?
• Do you have brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don’t hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

• Have you been swimming lately?
• Do you swim often?
• Where do you swim?
• Have you ever had swimmer’s ear before?
• Do you use cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ears?
• Do you use earbuds or other ear devices?
• Have you had any other recent ear examinations or procedures?

Aug. 13, 2021

How to Steer Clear of Swimmer’s Ear – Cleveland Clinic

You may be surprised to learn that the shape of your ears can make you more or less likely to get swimmer’s ear, a painful outer ear infection. While there’s not much you can do about the particular curves of your ears, experts say there are ways to help prevent swimmer’s ear.

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The infection, which doctors call otitis externa, most commonly occurs when water lingers in your ear canal. Despite the name, you don’t have to swim regularly to get swimmer’s ear. But the condition is more common when people are in water often.

Head and neck specialist Richard Freeman, MD, says the most important way to prevent swimmer’s ear is to keep your ears clean and dry.

Here are his do’s and don’ts:

• Do use hydrogen peroxide. Clean your ears occasionally with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to remove ear wax that can trap water in your ear. Use about half of an ear dropper full. Let it bubble and fizz, and then turn your head to the side and pull back on the top of your ear to allow it to drain properly. Make sure you use drying drops or your hair dryer to dry the ear canal so that no moisture is left behind.
• Don’t use cotton swabs or tissues to clean or dry your ears. They can scratch the skin in your ear canal and make conditions worse.
• Do use a hair dryer. You can use a hair dryer to gently and indirectly dry out your ear canal if it gets wet.
• Do wear ear plugs or bathing caps. These can help keep water out of your ears. However, they can also trap water in your ears, so be sure to dry your ears well after swimming.

Why water and dampness can cause swimmer’s ear

What is it about water that causes swimmer’s ear? 

Bacteria that normally inhabit the skin and ear canal begin to multiply in those warm, wet conditions and cause irritation, infection or inflammation. Occasionally, a fungal infection causes the same result.

“The ear canal is dark and warm, so if it gets wet, you have all the ingredients for a Petri dish to grow bacteria,” says Dr. Freeman.

Why summertime leaves you at risk

The infection is more common in warm weather when you’re more likely to hit the pool, water park or beach. Swimming in public waters that are heavily polluted or lounging in hot tubs that aren’t properly disinfected can put you at greater risk of contact with excessive bacteria.

But summertime conditions can take their toll even if you’re not a swimmer.

“Many of the people I see with the otitis externa infection have not been swimming,” Dr. Freeman says. A landlubber’s ear can become infected because the bacteria is more likely to get damp due to summer heat and humidity levels and perspiration, he says.

Allergies or skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or seborrhea can make your ear infection worse. Also, diabetics are more prone to swimmer’s ear infections.

People can even develop swimmer’s ear from bathing or showering.

Best treatment for swimmer’s ear

Typically, you can identify a swimmer’s ear infection by redness and swelling of the ear canal and outer ear (the part that you can see around the opening), itching, pain, pus drainage and sometimes hearing loss.

You can sometimes reduce inflammation by cleaning and drying the ear canal. In most cases, this requires applying antibiotic or anti-fungal ear drops. The drops need to reach your skin in order to work, so cleaning your ear with hydrogen peroxide, for example, is important. 

However, Dr. Freeman says it’s never a good idea to put water into your ears.

He says you can start with over-the-counter drying agents. However, he says a trip to your doctor is best so that they can:

• Clean your ear safely.
• Recommend the correct ear drops.
• Show you how to use the drops properly.

If it doesn’t resolve, Dr. Freeman advises that you don’t let the condition go. 

“If left untreated, swimmer’s ear can get worse and harder to treat,” he says. “Occasionally, you might need prescription oral antibiotics and, in extreme conditions, may need to be admitted to the hospital.”​

How to Get Rid of Swimmer’s Ear – Children’s Health

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection in the soft tissue of the outer ear, which is the part of the ear you can see outside of the eardrum. It’s caused when bacteria or fungi break into the soft tissue and begin to grow and spread.

Symptoms of swimmer’s ear

In addition to ear pain, children with swimmer’s ear may experience muffled hearing or fluid that drains out of the ear.

“Swimmer’s ear can cause very severe pain due to significant swelling in an area with many nerves,” says Felicity Lenes-Voit, M.D., an ear, nose and throat specialist at Children’s Health℠. “If the pain worsens when you pull on the ear, it may be a sign of an external ear infection.”

What causes swimmer’s ear?

Though it’s called swimmer’s ear, children can get this infection whether or not they’ve been swimming. Anything that causes the protective barriers of ear wax to break down can lead to an infection. Even taking a Q-tip to clean out wax can scratch the ear canal and cause an infection.

Ear wax protects the ear from infection in three main ways:

1. Ear wax acts as a physical barrier, actually keeping bacteria away from ear surfaces.
2. Ear wax is acidic, creating an unfriendly environment for bacteria that like a more alkaline environment.
3. Ear wax contains enzymes that break down bacteria.

The water and chlorine in swimming pools can dry out the skin of the ear canal, so children who spend a lot of time in the water may be at higher risk for infection. However, most kids who go swimming never develop the infection at all.

“Kids are more likely to get outer ear infections if they are immunocompromised or have diabetes,” says Dr. Lenes-Voit. “They may also be at higher risk if they have a condition that affects their skin barrier, such as eczema.”

How can I prevent swimmer’s ear?

The best way to prevent swimmer’s ear in both adults and children is to never put anything in your ear, even Q-tips.

“We say never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear,” says Dr. Lenes-Voit. “We don’t want to eradicate ear wax and a lot of time using a Q-tip or bobby pins just pushes it further into the ear canal and makes it harder for your ear to clean itself out.”

Dr. Lenes-Voit says earplugs won’t necessarily help either. Children with tubes in their ears may use earplugs when swimming in a lake or pond, but don’t need them in a pool. Children without ear tubes don’t need earplugs at all.

Even the protective drops sold in stores may not help. Research doesn’t back their use, and they can dry ears out.

If your child is experiencing repeated swimmer’s ear infections, talk to your doctor about ways to protect their ears safely before you try any preventive measures.

How to get rid of swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s ear may resolve on its own but is typically treated with antibiotic drops. If it is very painful, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery guidelines recommend alternating between age-appropriate doses of Tylenol and Motrin every few hours. Most children won’t need any stronger pain medications. If the pain does not improve after starting antibiotic ear drops, evaluation by your pediatrician or ENT is very important.

“Topical antibiotics are a lot more effective and have fewer risks than antibiotics taken via the mouth,” says Dr. Lenes-Voit.

Many antibiotics are safe to place in the ear, even if there is a perforation or a child has ear tubes. However, some can cause hearing loss if the eardrum is not intact. Your doctor can examine your child and prescribe a safe therapy.

In some cases, your child’s ear canal may be so swollen that the drops cannot get to the site of the infection. Your child may need to see an ear, nose and throat physician who can clean out any debris or place a wick. A wick is a small piece of sterile cotton that is placed into the ear. Drops can then be passed through the wick all the way to the eardrum. Unfortunately, wick placement and ear cleaning can be painful for children but are crucial in these cases for improvement.

Are there home remedies for swimmer’s ear?

Some home remedies may help with swimmer’s ear. However, these are only safe to use if you know for certain your child’s eardrum is intact, and these remedies won’t work as quickly as antibiotics.

One swimmer’s ear remedy is to dilute vinegar with hydrogen peroxide, so the solution is about half and half. The acidic vinegar may help rid the ear of bacteria.

Some home remedies sold in stores use rubbing alcohol, which should probably be avoided as it may dry out the ear canal too much, making it more susceptible to infection, and could be toxic to hearing if there is a perforation in the eardrum.

No matter if you choose antibiotics or a home remedy, you should keep your child’s ear dry while they are fighting swimmer’s ear.

“We recommend against baths and swimming with an outer ear infection,” she says. “When your child does need to bathe, we recommend a shower and to take a big cotton ball, cover it in Vaseline and then put it on the opening of the ear to keep water from getting in.”

Dr. Lenes-Voit says parents should also seek out medical advice if the infection is not improving or getting worse. You should also see a doctor quickly if your child has facial asymmetry, a change in their voice or hearing, or other symptoms that affect the nerves of the face.

Learn more

Children’s Health offers the largest group of ENT pediatric doctors in North Texas, which gives parents and patients access to expertise, support and services not available anywhere else. Learn more about our Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat program.

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Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) | Michigan Medicine

Topic Overview

What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal, the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. This condition is called swimmer’s ear, because it commonly occurs in people who have been swimming. But other people can get it too.

What causes swimmer’s ear?

You can get swimmer’s ear when bacteria or fungus grows in your ear canal. This happens when water, sand, or other small debris irritates the delicate skin in the ear canal. Other things that can irritate the ear canal include hearing aids, lots of ear cleaning, and eczema of the ear canal.

Swimmer’s ear is more likely if you have a very narrow or hairy ear canal; live in a warm, humid climate; have little or no earwax; have lots of ear infections; or have eczema or dry skin. If you have had swimmer’s ear in the past, you are more likely to get it again.

What are the symptoms?

Swimmer’s ear can be very painful. The pain can get worse when you touch the earlobe or another part of the outer ear or when you chew. Other symptoms can include itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and a yellowish or brownish discharge from the ear. Your ear canal may be swollen. In severe cases, the outer ear can be red and swollen too.

If you think you have swimmer’s ear, call your doctor to find the best way to treat it.

If you have diabetes or take medicine that suppresses your immune system, swimmer’s ear can cause severe problems. Call your doctor right away.

How is swimmer’s ear diagnosed?

A doctor can usually tell whether you have swimmer’s ear by looking into your ear and asking questions about your symptoms.

How is it treated?

Follow these tips when treating swimmer’s ear:

• If your doctor prescribed eardrops, use them as directed.
• Talk with your doctor before putting anything in your ear.
• Avoid getting water in the ear until after the problem clears up.
• Use a hair dryer to carefully dry the ear after you shower.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), or naproxen (such as Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

Some home treatment can help swimmer’s ear. But it is important to see a doctor first. If your doctor says it’s okay, you can try the following:

• If your ear is itchy, try nonprescription swimmer’s eardrops, such as Swim-Ear. Use them before and after swimming or getting your ears wet. Read and follow all instructions on the label, and learn how to insert eardrops safely.
• To ease ear pain, apply a warm washcloth or a heating pad set on low. There may be some drainage when the heat melts earwax.
  • Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.
  • Do not use a heating pad on a child.

In severe cases, the ear canal should be carefully cleaned out by an ear specialist. Sometimes, if the ear canal is very swollen, a wick with antibiotic drops will be placed in the ear canal.

Do not use ear candles. They have no proven benefit, and they can cause harm.

How can you prevent swimmer’s ear?

You may be able to prevent swimmer’s ear.

• Do not scratch or clean the inside of the ear with cotton swabs, bobby pins, your fingernails, or other objects.
• Avoid prolonged use of earplugs and in-ear headphones. Like cotton swabs, these can cause irritation and itching and can plug the ear with wax.
• Keep soap, bubble bath, and shampoo out of the ear canal. These products can cause itching and irritation.
• Keep your ears dry.
  • After you swim or shower, shake your head to remove water from the ear canal.
  • Gently dry your ears with the corner of a tissue or towel, or use a hair dryer on its lowest setting. Hold the dryer several inches away from the ear.
  • Put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol mixed with an equal amount of white vinegar in your ears after you swim or shower. You can also use over-the-counter drops, such as Swim-Ear, to help prevent swimmer’s ear. Gently wiggle the outside of the ear to let the liquid enter the ear canal. It’s important to keep the liquid in the ear canal for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Do not swim in dirty or polluted water.

What You Need to Know About Swimmer’s Ear

You’ve heard of swimmer’s ear, but what exactly is it, and what should you do if you get it?

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer portion of the ear, which includes the ear canal, says Matthew Kashima, chair of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore.

It’s a bit of a misnomer, because swimming isn’t always involved. But otitis externa, as the condition is also called, is linked often enough to water exposure that the name “swimmer’s ear” has stuck, Kashima says.

If you’ve never had swimmer’s ear before, be glad. “It can be painful, and oftentimes, your ear can feel clogged or stopped up, you might have some discharge with some blood or pus in it, and if you pull on the outside of the ear, it’ll hurt,” he says.

Should you experience any of these symptoms in one or both ears, it’s best to see a doctor, be it your primary care doctor, an urgent care one, or an ear, nose, and throat specialist, Kashima says.

“Swimmer’s ear can resolve on its own, but it will get better faster with treatment,” he says. Plus, swimmer’s ear symptoms can mean other things instead, including an infection of the middle ear or temporomandibular joint syndrome (“lock jaw”), so it’s just best to get it checked out as soon as possible.

Different Types of Swimmer’s Ear

Swimmer’s ear comes in a few different forms: infectious, inflammatory, and chemical.

The infectious type is caused by bacteria—or occasionally a virus—that gets in the ear canal, grows, and causes local inflammation, swelling, and pain. The bacteria or virus might be from whatever water you’ve been swimming in, or it could already be on the skin of your outer ear.

“We have bacteria all over our skin,” Kashima says. “You can have bacteria already growing in your ear, feeding off of dry skin and other debris in the ear, and when water gets in the ear canal, it provides moisture for the bacteria to grow.”

The inflammatory type starts with dry or irritated skin in the ear canal—often eczema or psoriasis. When skin sloughs off in the ear, it can cause itching and irritation, Kashima says. The irritation allows bacteria already on the skin to get below the skin’s surface, causing an infection.

Similarly, the chemical type is caused by an allergic or irritant reaction of the skin to a chemical (often in a perfume or cosmetic), which causes the skin of the ear canal to become inflamed. This can allow bacteria on the skin to develop into a secondary infection, Kashima says.

If your ear is itchy, Kashima advises not using cotton swabs to scratch it. That can cause irritation—or more irritation—making infection all the more likely to happen.

Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear

If there’s an infection, swimmer’s ear is typically treated with an antibiotic ear drop. If the infection has been caused by inflammation, then Kashima usually prescribes an anti-inflammatory ear drop, cream, or oil preparation—sometimes with a steroid—as well. If there’s no actual infection, just irritation, then anti-inflammatory ear drops will usually be enough. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help with the pain, Kashima adds, and if there’s any debris in the ear, he’ll clean that out to make the drops more effective.

Occasionally, swimmer’s ear may be the result of a fungal infection, and that’s treated with anti-fungal ointment and several visits to the doctor for careful ear cleaning, he adds.

After applying the drops, don’t stuff your ear with a cotton ball, Kashima says. Keep your head tilted with the affected ear up for about two minutes to allow the drops to be in contact with the affected area, then realign your head and let the drops run back out on their own. That will dry out your ear and remove any debris.

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

“Don’t stick anything in your ear,” Kashima says. “The only thing you should stick in your ear is your elbow,” he jokes, “so if you live by that rule, you’ll do pretty well.”

Kashima makes one exception to that rule: Rubbing alcohol drops, used regularly after swimming, help dry the ears out quickly, and a dry ear is less likely to develop swimmer’s ear than a wet one. “If you let that water stay in for days and days, then something might fester,” he says.

After he swims, he’ll put a few drops of rubbing alcohol into each ear with a cotton pad. As the alcohol dries up, the water drips out.

Charles McPeak, co-founder and coach of the Los Angeles–based SilverPeak Performance, follows this practice as well: “After every swim, I put a couple drops of rubbing alcohol in each ear. I haven’t had an ear infection in 30-plus years.”

Another trick Kashima shares is to run a hair dryer on a low fan setting and at arm’s length away from your ear to dry each ear out. “This has been the best advice from my doctor for preventing swimmer’s ear,” says Lance Ogren, a Level 4 USMS coach of Palmetto Masters in Mount Pleasant, S.C. 

There are several remedies available over the counter, such as Swim-EAR or TYR’s Clear Ear Drying Aid, or you can make your own ear drops at home.

Passing Time on Land

“Keeping the ear dry will help it get better more quickly,” says Kashima, who recommends his patients with swimmer’s ear stay out of the water for one to two weeks.

That can be frustrating for the dedicated Masters swimmer who likes to stick to a regular swimming routine. But coaches are familiar with the condition, and they know what’s needed to get healthy as soon as possible.

“Take a couple days off and let the medicine get to work,” Ogren says. “Your body wasn’t able to fight off the infection in the first place, so give it a chance, and you’ll be back in the water in no time.” You won’t lose fitness in just a week, he says.

“After a couple of days off, begin a stretching routine or some light yoga, but don’t go for the hot, 100-degree, super-intense sessions,” he says. “Then maybe move on to some core work.”

For swimmers recovering from swimmer’s ear, McPeak recommends yoga four times a week: “Yoga goes hand in hand with swimming because it’s also a form of resistance training with a low impact on the body. Plus, we all know what flexibility and being relaxed can do for swimmers.”

So, should your ear suddenly become painful, don’t panic—just get it checked out as soon as possible. If you have to stay out of the water for a week or two, don’t worry. Do some yoga, rest up, allow your ear to recover, and enjoy the brief change of pace to your exercise routine. You’ll be back in the water before you know it.

Four Things to Know About Swimmer’s Ear

Summer on the South Shore means plenty of swimming, whether it’s in pools, lakes, or the ocean. Swimming is a great way to cool off on a hot day and to get a little exercise, all while being outside and enjoying the best weather of the year.

For many South Shore parents, however, a day in the water this summer could leave a child with an earache.

Swimmer’s ear is a common summer ailment for children and is as familiar to parents as sunburns and mosquito bites. Also known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear can be painful — but it doesn’t have to derail your summer plans!

Here’s what you need to know before you and your children hit the water.

1. What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear, at the most basic level, is simply a type of ear infection. Unlike the inner ear infections that are common in babies, toddlers, and young children, swimmer’s ear is an outer ear infection: it affects the outer ear canal, which runs from the outside of your ear to your eardrum.

While infections can occur for any number of reasons, swimmer’s ear is caused by an excess amount of moisture remaining in the ear canal.

Because the ear canal is dark, any build-up of moisture is going to promote the growth of bacteria.

Once bacteria start to grow, the ear canal becomes inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort. While swimmer’s ear is most common in children, adults can get it as well.

2. How do you get swimmer’s ear?

The easy answer is “by swimming!” Of course it’s not quite that simple, as just being in the water isn’t necessarily going to lead to swimmer’s ear for everyone. You can also get swimmer’s ear without swimming.

Too much moisture in the ear is the root cause of swimmer’s ear, but there are other factors as well. Some children may be predisposed to swimmer’s ear due to the way their ear canals are shaped, making it more difficult for water to drain out.

The type of water matters as well: swimming in ponds, lakes, or poorly treated pools may increase exposure to bacteria, raising the risk of swimmer’s ear.

Finally, the wax in your ears serves as a way to prevent moisture from building up inside. People who keep their ears a little too clean, especially those who regularly use cotton swabs, may actually be increasing their chances of contracting swimmer’s ear.

3. How do you prevent swimmer’s ear?

We can’t just keep kids out of the water, especially during summertime in New England! Instead, preventing swimmer’s ear starts with taking steps to keep moisture from building up inside the ear canals.

• Encourage your children to thoroughly dry their ears after they get out of the water.
• Have your kids tilt their heads to each side to allow any trapped water to flow out. Gently tugging on the ear in various directions can help ensure all water is out.
• Avoid swimming in untreated water or at beaches where the bacteria count is high.

If you find that your child is particularly susceptible to swimmer’s ear, waterproof ear plugs are always an option. While it may take some time for your child to remember to use them before swimming, they do a good job keeping ear canals dry.

4. How do you treat swimmer’s ear?

If you suspect a case of swimmer’s ear (whether in your child or yourself), it’s always a good idea to contact your primary care provider. Your provider will be able to confirm that it’s swimmer’s ear and not a potentially more serious infection. Your provider will also know which kind of treatment is appropriate.

Normally, swimmer’s ear is treated with special ear drops that help fight off the infection. Ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever can be used to get some relief from the ear pain as well. With the proper medication, swimmer’s ear should be resolved within a week or so.

One thing that you should absolutely never do with a suspected case of swimmer’s ear is ignore it. While swimmer’s ear is relatively easy to treat in normal cases, ignoring it gives the infection a chance to spread and potentially become more serious.

Dr. McSweeney-Ryan practices at South Shore Medical Center in Norwell and is currently accepting new patients. Learn more about Primary Care at South Shore Health.

Best Swimmer’s Ear Drops for Earaches and Drying Your Ears

Swimmer’s ear is kind of the worst.

As a lifelong competitive swimmer, I have the unfortunate distinction of having caught a case of swimmer’s ear more times than I can count.

It seemed like it has always been a battle to keep water out of my ears when swimming.

I spent many days and evenings as a child, teenager, and even a few as an adult with my head buried in a pillow, wishing to the chlorinated gods to get the pain, throbbing, and stuffy hearing to pass more quickly.

How does swimmer’s ear happen?

Swimmer’s ear also goes by the fancy-pants science name acute otitis externa.

How it happens is pretty straight-forward, and it’s not because you are a bad person: Water goes in your ear, stays there, and a bacterial infection grows from the ideal combination of warmth and moistness in your ear canal.

Swimmer’s ear comes in both acute and chronic forms. Also, here’s a fun fact: Ten out of ten people surveyed said they’d rather get punched in the mouth than experience swimmer’s ear again. (That’s just me asking myself ten times. Not very science-y.)

When swimmer’s ear kicks in, all sorts of symptoms come flying in.

At first a slight itch (resist the urge to spear eardrum with finger, resist!), pain in the form of someone taking a flamethrower to your ear canal, swelling, redness, and even temporary hearing loss.

The height of grossness with swimmer’s ear comes when fluid and puss run out your ear canal.

(If you sleep or rest with your bad ear facing down on your pillow, I would super recommend double-bagging your pillow with a couple pillow-cases that you aren’t overly committed towards.)

One of the tools of the trade to nuke that bacterial infection is to use swimmer’s ear drops.

Using swimmer’s ear drops to solve the case

Outside of some of the usual and drop-free tricks to getting water out of your ear (more on those shortly), there are swimmer’s ear drops.

They are typically very simple solutions designed to help dry your ear and zap the bacterial infestation in your ear canal.

You drop a couple drops down your ear canal, let the stuff do its magic for a couple minutes, sometimes hear a sound like paper crinkling (very trippy the first time you experience it), and re-tilt your head, allowing everything to run out the side of your head.

Here’s a breakdown of my favorite swimmer’s ear drops.

Swim-EAR Drying Aid.

95% isopropyl alcohol, with an inactive 5% ingredient that is anhydrous glycerin, the Swim_ear Drying Ear Swimmer’s Ear Drops are perfect for drying your ears after swimming, showering, bathing, or dunking your face in the neighborhood pool on a hot day.

Use 4 to 5 drops in each of your affected ears, don’t put it in your eyes, and keep the bottle properly closed and away from fire. (It’s flammable, yo.)

Auro-Dri Swimmer’s Ear Drops

Auro-Dri Swimmer’s Ear Drops are designed specifically to clear water-clogged ears. They are safe for both adults and children. The solution is 95% isopropyl alcohol and 5% anhydrous glycerin.

They recommend 4-5 drops in each ear after swimming, keeping the drops in your ears for several minutes before titling it back the other way and allowing the drops to run out with gravity.

These ear drops are also the only ones recommended by the American Swim Coaches Association.

Bionix Health After Swim Water Removal

These aren’t swimmer’s ear drops, per se, but they are designed to accomplish the same end result.

They are pads, made without alcohol, that have a flared tip that goes into the ear canal and sucks up water.

Each pad is able to absorb five times the amount of water an ear canal can hold, so you only need to use one per serving, per ear. The pads are designed in such a way that you can’t deep-six them into your ear canal, aggravating or punching a hole into your eardrum.

While novel in its approach, these pads weren’t super well rated on Amazon. The last time I looked, almost 20% of the ratings were one-star, with numerous users complaining that it didn’t work for them.

How to prevent needing swimmer’s ear drops in the first place.

If you surfed here with an existing case of swimmer’s ear, this information might not help your current predicament. But it might help you to avoid getting another case of swimmer’s ear down the road.

Of course, the best thing you can do is to prevent swimmer’s ear in the first place.

There are some easy things you can do to cut down the likelihood of getting this pain-in-the-pull buoys ailment:

Wear earplugs when you go swimming.

Sure, it’s an extra step before getting into the water for your workout, and swimmer’s earplugs don’t last all that long before they lose their malleability. But find a set that work and stick with them. For almost my entire swimming career I have leaned on earplugs for swimming laps. (My favs are Mack’s Silicone Soft Putty—hands down.)

Here’s some good news: Wearing earplugs while swimming won’t interrupt your joy of the sport, it shuts out the loud mouth-breathing of the other swimmers in the pool, and wearing them can even make bone-conducting waterproof music players sound better. Suck it, earaches!

Tip for smaller swimmers with tubes in their ears, perforated ear drums, or simply are prone to earaches: Combine swimmers earplugs with an ear band for swimmers. The 1-2 punch protects the ears and keeps the earplugs securely in place.

Dry your ears properly.

If you can’t stop water from getting in, you can give getting the water out an assist.

Start with gravity. Tilt your head. Shake your head. If this doesn’t take, a hair dryer, on medium heat and from about a foot away, can help dry the inside of your ear canal as well.

How not to dry your ear canal? Ramming your finger into your ear canal. Stuffing your delicate ear canal full of Q-tips, cotton swabs or toilet paper. (Yes, I’ve seen this on a few occasions.)

Here’s something to super not do.

Quick story: In my early 20s, I jumped off a decent-sized cliff at a local lake. My entry was clean; so clean that I went deep enough that the pressure ruptured my ear-drum.

Only I didn’t know this. I thought the pain was just another classic earache.

Time to dry my ears out, right? I went home, grabbed an eye-dropped and dropped a couple shots of rubbing alcohol down my ear canal. My friends nearly had to peel me off the ceiling it hurt so much.

The lesson? If your ear is injured, or ruptured, do not use swimmer’s ear drops or rubbing alcohol.

Don’t rely on a swim cap to keep water out of your ears.

This is a frequent cause of misunderstanding when it comes to swim gear for beginners.

Your favorite swimming cap isn’t meant to keep water out of your ears. It’s not a condom for your head. Heck, swim caps aren’t even meant to keep your hair dry.

They keep your hair from dispersing into the pool (and filters), help protect your hair from chlorine (especially when you shower and load up your hair with fresh water before jumping), and keeping your hair out of your eyes (so you can see where you are going when swimming).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But swim caps won’t keep water out of your ears when swimming.

Serious note: This information is purely informational and not to be construed as medical advice. Seek the help of a medical professional if your ears have discharge, there is pain and irritation in the canal, or you are experiencing dizziness or nausea.

How to choose earplugs for swimming

Earplugs (from BEEREGE EARS) – devices inserted into the ear canal to protect against noise, water ingress, foreign objects, etc. Earplugs are especially relevant for swimming.

Under normal conditions, a healthy human ear itself is quite well protected from water: when we wash in the shower, swim or accidentally get caught in the rain, the very structure of the auricle does not allow a large amount of water to accumulate in the ear canal for a long time.In addition, most waterborne microbes and fungi are eventually “killed” by the acidic ear lubricant.

But when we are in an environment with high humidity for a long time, the constant presence of moisture “dilutes” the natural acidity inside the ear, and we become vulnerable to various infections. One of the most dangerous consequences of contaminated water getting into the ear is otitis media – inflammation of the outer ear.

Probably, many people will immediately say: “But I have been visiting the pool regularly for years, I have not had any such problems!” Yes, it’s true, this problem bypasses many people: perhaps the water in your pool is really clean, maybe you take good care of keeping your ears dry after training.

If you are still worried about the quality of the pool water, or have already suffered from serious ear problems, swimming earplugs will certainly help you. Nowadays most of the well-known swimming companies (Arena, Speedo, etc.) produce many different earplugs (earplugs).

“Fungi” and “arrows” are elongated earplugs made of silicone, which can be easily removed from the auricle by pulling on the special tail.Usually “fungi” are larger than “arrows”.

Earplugs “Balls” do not have a tail – to pull them out, it is easy enough to press your finger on the cavity under the lobe and they “pop out” from the ear by themselves. Such swimming earplugs are made not of silicone, but of a hypoallergenic material consisting of vinyl, rubber and natural wax of almond oil.

Most swimming earplugs will also protect you from the many sounds (music, screams, etc.) that often interfere with your concentration during your workout.And if you just want to protect your ears from the water while continuing to listen perfectly, you can opt for earplugs that are made from material that does not interfere with sound.

If you (or your doctor) decide that your ears really need protection from water ingress, be sure to buy earplugs for swimming. We also advise you to pay attention to the pool caps with ears – they will give additional protection from water. We remind you that in a special section on our website you can always find a wide range of different swimming earplugs.

90,000 TOP 10 Swimming Backpacks

There are many fantastic accessories available today for your workouts, making a swim backpack a must for every athlete.

Most often, swimmers choose a backpack because of the spacious compartments where they can store the necessary items, but also pay attention to their strength and durability.

In addition, they need to be comfortable and beautiful, as well as versatile enough to be used as an everyday gym bag as well as a swim bag.

Professional Swimming Backpacks have plenty of room for sports equipment, towels, study aids, and have dedicated compartments for glasses, hats, water bottles and your gadgets such as smartphone, iPod, tablet or laptop.

Below are a few key features every swimmer should know when buying a new swim backpack:

• Storage compartments for both wet and dry kit
• Spacious main compartment that can accommodate both teaching aids and a set of clothing
• Rigid or rubber water resistant cover in case you leave your backpack on a wet surface near the pool
• External water bottle pockets
• Mesh pockets for storing damp items
• Durable and waterproof material

Considering these features, we have compiled the TOP 10 best swimming backpacks that will satisfy the needs of swimmers of any category.

TYR Alliance

Obviously, many world famous swimmers choose the TYR Alliance backpack as their swim bag.

The colors of the TYR backpacks are smartly and stylishly designed, and the interior is spacious and made of smooth materials.

Proswimwear has a large selection of bags up to 30L as well as large 45L backpacks that are truly ideal for swimmers.

TYR’s compact design maximizes bag capacity with easily accessible side pockets and a water bottle pocket.The TYR Alliance adjustable mesh pocket is designed for wet and dry items, while the protective sleeve is designed for laptops or similar electronics.

The capacious main compartment and the presence of built-in spring hooks allow you to fit into a backpack and carry bulky items.

Sturdy and durable water resistant bags are a fantastic choice for swimmers of all categories.

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Arena Spiky 2

Arena Spiky 2 offers a wide range of plain or multi-colored sports backpacks, with capacities ranging from 30L to 40L.

Thanks to Arena’s reputation for exceptional starter gear, swim backpacks have become extremely popular.

Bags include storage compartments for all your swimming essentials, from swimwear to shoes (the lower compartments are for shoes) and water bottles.

The backpack has mesh inserts for ventilation and humidity control, as well as many convenient front and side pockets.

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Speedo Teamster

Speedo Teamster backpacks are first class with a wide range of colors and designs.We highly recommend the turquoise starter backpack (pictured right).

A distinctive feature of these backpacks is not only the color scheme.

Swimming backpacks with the Speedo logo have a universal capacity, the most popular is 35 liters.

To protect the laptop, special rounded corners have been created, the backpack also contains a removable bag for dirty equipment, which fastens from the outside and isolates wet things from electronics and dry kit.

Another important feature is the retractable seat, which provides a dry, comfortable and soft seating position.

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Backpack Nike Swimmer’s Backpack II

The Nike Swimmer’s Backpack is an elegant swim backpack, perfect for any category of swimmer who travels to the competition with a variety of storage compartments.

Intelligently designed for efficient use of capacity (32 liters), the backpack has a deep main compartment and a hidden mesh pocket for storing a separate wet set.

The side pockets are adjustable so they are ideal for glasses or water bottles of all sizes, and there is also an internal laptop compartment with an adjustable drawstring.

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FINIS Torque Backpack

The FINIS Torque Backpack, with a volume of approximately 35 liters, is spacious enough to be ideal for both training and competition.

Well-designed, traditional black backpack with stylishly placed FINIS logo at the bottom, made of durable polyester material, it will last you a long time and will withstand any washing machine!

Interior pockets and bottom compartment are waterproof.What’s more, the bag has a rubber base to repel water in case you leave it near the pool.

This swim backpack has quick-drying front clips so you can attach a wet kit, towels or swimming gear to it.

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Jaked Atlantis

The Jaked Atlantis Backpack is truly capable of carrying wet and dry swimming gear and pool gear.

The backpack features double mesh side pockets ideal for storing small items and swimming goggles, while the front mesh pocket is specially designed for wet starting gear.

Backpack includes front and inside zippered pockets for phones, iPods and other accessories, while the spacious main compartment has a convenient dividing block.

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MP Michael Phelps Team Backpack

A sleek MP Michael Phelps swim backpack in bold colors with a signature main compartment and zips.

A truly comfortable carrying bag for your sports equipment with specially designed handles.

You will be amazed at how versatile the MP Michael Phelps is. Along with easily accessible front and side water bottle compartments, it has an internal laptop pocket and a bottom shoe compartment.

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Backpack Adidas

The Adidas Backpack is made from extremely breathable and quick-drying Climacool® material and has many convenient pockets and compartments designed with the needs of established swimmers in mind.

Large main compartment ideal for storing swimwear, towels and sports equipment.

This swimming backpack has a separate waterproof section at the bottom where you can store wet gear or a towel, as well as pockets for storing accessories such as a cap, goggles and other small items.

The backpack is decorated with the world famous Adidas logo with three stripes, which is located on the front of the bag.

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HEAD Tour Backpack

This large Head Tour backpack, with a capacity of up to 40 liters, has ample room for a bathing suit and essential pool accessories.

Swim bags are definitely designed with all swimmers in mind, with padded mesh back compartment and padded adjustable handles.

Along with a spacious main compartment, the bag has two mesh outer pockets on the sides for storing damp items that dry faster thanks to ventilation.The backpack has other compartments for storing wet and dry sets, including a zippered bottom compartment.

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Mad Wave Team Backpack

The Mad Wave Team Backpack is available in vibrant colors and is a great choice for swimmers on the go.

The starter goggle pockets are a great addition as they are protective, which reduces the chances of damaging or scratching the lenses if your goggles are not stored in the case.

The backpack has many compartments for both wet and dry bathing sets, as well as sturdy inner pockets and a pocket for electronics and gadgets.

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SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF STARTER BACKPACKS – CLICK HERE

90,000 Marble Cave 🌟 Astounding Underworld

October 22, 2021

History of origin and description of the Marble Cave

The amazing marble cave was first discovered in 1987.Its discovery was completely accidental at an altitude of 920 meters above sea level next to other caves – Suuk-Koba and Bin-Bash-Koba. The discoverers nicknamed their discovery “Afghan woman”. A little later, it was named marble. Two years later, the cave became accessible to guests and visitors.

This amazing object became known and accessible to visitors and tourists from all over the world thanks to a fluke. One of the local residents, who was a shepherd, was simply looking for the lost animal.In the process of searching, he accidentally stumbled upon an unknown move. This event became the starting point in the exploration and discovery of a new attraction.

Discoverers were very impressed by the interior of the discovered object. A huge space with many passages was filled with stalactite figures of various sizes and shapes. In addition, numerous underground lakes and stone flows were discovered. Such amazing views were formed by the erosion of limestone by water streams.

For two years, the marble cave was fully explored by researchers. In addition, it was equipped with everything necessary for visiting guests and tourists. Electricity was supplied to the cave, staircases with railings were made, and ceiling vaults were reinforced. In addition, another, more spacious and convenient entrance was equipped. Together with this cave, another attraction was equipped – Emine-Bair-Khosar. Together they form a whole complex.

In the course of research and development, another underground tier was discovered – Nizhniy Bair.It represents an endless number of halls, smoothly flowing into one another. A special feature is that in addition to stalactite and stalagmite walls and ceilings, you can see crystals of calcite and aragonite. In the light, they give an amazing shine. Depending on the composition, they have a different color – beige, nude, malachite, scarlet.

In the deepest halls, the flowing water forms whole lakes. On the surface of these lakes, stone formations resemble water lilies that are spread over the water surface.Over time, scientists and researchers realized that regular visitors and tourists are destroying the microclimate in the Lower Bair cave. As a result, they decided to close the entrance to this attraction and allow visits no more than once every 20 years.

5 years after the opening of the cave for guests and tourists, in 1992 the International Association contributed to the development and arrangement of the marble cave. This began to attract even more guests and tourists. The cave has been transformed and made safe for a large number of visitors.At first, after opening, only 180 meters of the path were available for visits.

After the furnishings, electricity supply and flights of stairs, today guests and visitors can descend to a depth of more than 50 meters and walk a path of 1.5 kilometers. There are rooms of the cave, which are already marked by visitors with special names. These include the Gallery of Fairy Tales Landfall Hall, or the Pink Hall.

How to get to the Marble Cave

There is no direct transport that will take visitors to this attraction.But there are several ways to get to the cave. To visit the Marble Cave, you can take any regular bus that follows from Simferopol to Yalta or Alushta. Visitors who have chosen this particular method should get off at the Mramornoye stop. After that, you can walk to your destination.

The easiest way to get to the Marble Cave is by car or by renting a car. It is very easy to build a route. You can get to Simferopol or Alushta, and from there to the cave itself.The route from Alushta can be overcome in about 30-40 minutes, depending on the speed of movement. From Simferopol, it will take 40-50 minutes to reach your destination, depending on the speed.

Another way to visit this amazing cave with many beauties is to sign up for an excursion. Excursion groups regularly come to the Crimean peninsula from different cities. Excursion groups are provided with a transfer, as well as a guide who will acquaint all visitors with the history of the cave and show all its charms and beauty.

When is the best time to visit the Marble Cave

More than 5000 people visit the Marble Cave on the Crimean Peninsula annually. You can visit the attraction at any time of the year. The temperature inside the cave almost never changes and does not exceed 8-9 degrees. Those who come to the cave in the summer are advised to walk around the surroundings and enjoy the amazing nature of the Crimean peninsula.

Regardless of the season, guests and tourists are invited to enjoy the beauty of this amazing place from 9 am to 7 pm.There are practically no days off, except for big holidays. It is expected that the largest number of visitors come here during the summer period.

It is most beautiful in the area at the beginning of summer, in the middle of autumn or spring. The nature here is as picturesque as possible. In winter, late autumn, or early spring, this area is very windy, damp and cold. At this time of the year, mainly winter sports and outdoor enthusiasts come here. In frosty weather, there is also something to admire here.

What a tourist needs to know when visiting the Marble Cave

Before setting off on a trip to the Marble Cave, it is worth considering some peculiarities. Arriving there even in the warm season, you must definitely take warm clothes with you, since it is always cold and damp underground. Even in the hottest weather, the air temperature here does not rise above +8 degrees. In addition to warm clothes, you should take care of the availability of comfortable shoes.

For safety reasons, it is always worth going down into the cave as part of a group.It is dangerous to visit such places on your own due to the high probability of getting lost in the numerous labyrinths. Even if the visitors arrived in the cave as part of the excursion, you should definitely go only where the guide suggests.

No special equipment or equipment is required to visit the cave. Those who have a weak vascular system should take into account that with changes in altitude and temperature, ears can become blocked. A ticket must be purchased upon entering the cave. The cost will depend on the route chosen.Children under five years old can visit the cave for free, children from 5 to 12 years old receive a discount.

What else to see in the vicinity of the Marble Cave

There are several sites that can be visited when visiting the Marble Cave. One of these objects can be called the Mammoth Cave, or as it is also called – Emine-Bair-Khosar. It was opened for visiting after archaeologists and paleontologists discovered the remains of a mammoth in it. From the platform at the foot of the cave, an amazing view of the forest thickets and the mountain range opens.

Not far from the Marble Cave there are two more equally interesting and amazing caves – Cold and Tysyachevavaya. There are no special railings, lighting, stairs or other benefits of civilization. There is no need to pay to enter and walk through the caves. Films were filmed in these caves more than once, as the stalactite and stalagmite deposits in them are very spectacular.

Another cave where most of the guests and visitors drop in is the Thousand-Headed Cave. It does not differ in such depth and length as the marble one, and has a length of only 150 meters.This place is considered to be the place where the rituals of the ancient inhabitants were held. This is evidenced by the human remains found there and the rock paintings on the walls.

The Marble Cave is one of the most amazing objects on the Crimean Peninsula. Here you can enjoy the stunning underground lakes, numerous underground passages. Giant “lamps”, stalactite rocks, emerald growths, calcite crystals – all these are extraordinary phenomena that can be seen in this cave.

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90,000 How to quickly wake up in winter – Khoroshevsky Cultural Center

Posted at 15:58.

Author: Central Committee Khoroshevsky

It’s still dark in the morning and I really don’t want to get up. What to do?

Quick and Easy Lift Rules

So, first: light gymnastics right in bed.After all, charging is necessary at any time of the year, especially in winter. Since when muscles move, blood circulation accelerates, blood flow to the brain increases and thus the body begins to wake up. As soon as you wake up, fold back the covers, put your hands up, then make a bike with your feet.

Second: bright spot. It is better if the room in which you sleep has an orange, red or yellow piece of furniture. And he will be located so that he can see him immediately after awakening.As one of the best options, a lamp that will give both the desired color and light at the same time. Another way to wake up faster is to use napkins and brightly colored utensils for breakfast.

Third: those who do not have chronic throat problems can enjoy ice cream in the morning. According to German scientists, this product invigorates as well as cold water.

Fourth: this is a contrast shower. Of course, you can wake up faster from cold water, but only hardened people can take an ice shower.It is best to alternate between warm and cold water, at the same time it tones up blood vessels.

Fifth: according to scientists, strong rubbing of the feet, as well as palms and earlobes contributes to awakening. There is one more secret – this is self-massage of the face. You need to cover your face with your palms so that the ends of your fingers are on your forehead, your thumb is on your cheekbones, the bottom of your palms is on your chin. And 5-6 times press your face to your palms.

Sixth: Try to include dates in your breakfast. Since half an hour after a person eats 10 dates, he usually feels a surge of vigor.

Seventh: few people know that cocoa beans contain a relative of caffeine – theobromine.