What are the symptoms of swimmer’s ear. How can you differentiate swimmer’s ear from other ear infections. What causes swimmer’s ear and how can it be prevented. What are the most effective treatments for swimmer’s ear.

Understanding Swimmer’s Ear: More Than Just a Swimming Problem

Swimmer’s ear, medically known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal that extends from the eardrum to the outside of the head. Despite its name, you don’t need to be a swimmer to develop this condition. It can affect people of all ages and occurs when water, sand, dirt, or other debris enters the ear canal and remains there, creating an environment conducive to bacterial or fungal growth.

The condition typically starts with mild symptoms but can progress to more severe stages if left untreated. Early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial in preventing complications and alleviating discomfort.

Is swimmer’s ear different from other ear infections?

Yes, swimmer’s ear differs from other ear infections in several ways:

• Location: Swimmer’s ear affects the outer ear canal, while other infections may involve the middle or inner ear.
• Cause: External factors like water and debris entering the ear typically cause swimmer’s ear, whereas inner and middle ear infections often follow illnesses such as colds, flu, or allergies.
• Symptoms: Swimmer’s ear usually presents with external ear pain and itching, while other ear infections may cause pain deeper in the ear or behind it.

Recognizing the Symptoms: From Mild Discomfort to Severe Pain

Swimmer’s ear symptoms progress through stages, ranging from mild to advanced. Identifying these symptoms early can help in seeking timely treatment and preventing the condition from worsening.

What are the early signs of swimmer’s ear?

Initial symptoms of swimmer’s ear are often mild and may include:

• A slight itching sensation inside the ear
• Mild redness in the ear canal
• Discomfort when pulling on the outer ear or pushing the tragus (the small bump in front of the ear opening)
• Clear, odorless fluid draining from the ear

How do symptoms progress if left untreated?

As the infection advances, symptoms may become more pronounced:

1. Moderate stage:
   • Increased itchiness
   • Worsening ear pain, especially when chewing or moving the ear
   • More noticeable redness in the ear canal
   • A feeling of fullness in the ear
   • Muffled hearing or partial hearing loss
   • Increased fluid drainage, possibly yellow or greenish and odorous
2. Advanced stage:
   • Severe ear pain that may radiate to the face, neck, or side of the head
   • Swelling in the ear canal, outer ear, or neck glands
   • Redness extending beyond the ear canal to the outer ear
   • Fever

The Root Causes: Why Swimmer’s Ear Develops

Understanding the causes of swimmer’s ear can help in preventing its occurrence. While water exposure is a common factor, it’s not the only culprit.

What conditions make swimmer’s ear more likely?

Several factors can increase the risk of developing swimmer’s ear:

• Excessive moisture in the ear canal
• Damage or irritation to the ear canal’s skin
• Absence of protective earwax
• Narrow ear canals that trap water more easily
• Use of certain hair products or swimming caps that can trap water in the ears
• Swimming in polluted water

How does ear canal irritation contribute to swimmer’s ear?

Irritation or damage to the ear canal’s skin can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth. Common causes of ear canal irritation include:

• Overcleaning the ears, leading to dryness and loss of protective earwax
• Inserting foreign objects into the ear (e.g., fingers, pens, Q-tips)
• Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis affecting the ear canal
• Ill-fitting or irritating hearing aids

Prevention Strategies: Keeping Swimmer’s Ear at Bay

While swimmer’s ear can be uncomfortable and potentially serious, there are several effective prevention strategies you can employ to reduce your risk.

How can you protect your ears while swimming?

To minimize the risk of developing swimmer’s ear while enjoying water activities, consider these preventive measures:

• Wear well-fitting earplugs or a swim cap when swimming
• Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing
• Tilt your head to each side to help water drain out
• Use a hairdryer on the lowest setting, held at arm’s length, to dry your ears
• Avoid swimming in polluted water

What daily habits can help prevent swimmer’s ear?

Incorporating these habits into your daily routine can help maintain ear health and prevent swimmer’s ear:

• Avoid inserting objects into your ears, including cotton swabs
• Maintain proper ear hygiene without over-cleaning
• Use earplugs during activities that might irritate your ears, such as hair dyeing or applying hairspray
• If you wear hearing aids, ensure they fit properly and clean them regularly
• Manage skin conditions that affect your ears under medical supervision

Effective Treatments: Addressing Swimmer’s Ear

If you develop swimmer’s ear despite preventive measures, prompt and appropriate treatment is essential to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

What are the primary treatment options for swimmer’s ear?

Treatment for swimmer’s ear typically involves a combination of the following approaches:

1. Cleaning the ear canal:
   • A healthcare provider may carefully clean the ear canal to remove debris and discharge
   • This process helps medication reach the affected area more effectively
2. Medication:
   • Antibiotic ear drops are commonly prescribed to fight bacterial infections
   • Antifungal medications may be used if a fungal infection is suspected
   • Steroid ear drops might be prescribed to reduce inflammation and itching
3. Pain management:
   • Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and discomfort
   • Applying a warm compress to the ear may also provide relief

When should you seek medical attention for swimmer’s ear?

While mild cases of swimmer’s ear may resolve on their own, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider if:

• Symptoms persist for more than a few days
• Pain is severe or worsening
• You experience fever or chills
• There’s significant swelling or redness around the ear
• You notice pus or blood draining from the ear
• You experience any hearing loss

Complications and Long-Term Effects: What to Watch For

While swimmer’s ear is typically treatable, untreated or severe cases can lead to complications that may have long-lasting effects on ear health and overall well-being.

What potential complications can arise from untreated swimmer’s ear?

If left untreated, swimmer’s ear can progress and potentially cause:

• Chronic otitis externa: Persistent or recurring ear infections
• Temporary hearing loss: Due to swelling and blockage of the ear canal
• Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection that can spread to surrounding tissues
• Necrotizing otitis externa: A rare but serious condition where the infection spreads to the bone and cartilage around the ear
• Facial nerve palsy: In severe cases, the infection can affect the facial nerve, causing temporary facial paralysis

How can swimmer’s ear affect long-term ear health?

While most cases of swimmer’s ear resolve without lasting effects, repeated or severe infections may lead to:

• Narrowing of the ear canal due to scarring
• Increased susceptibility to future ear infections
• Chronic pain or discomfort in the affected ear
• Persistent drainage from the ear
• In rare cases, permanent hearing loss if infections are severe or recurrent

Special Considerations: Swimmer’s Ear in Different Populations

While swimmer’s ear can affect anyone, certain groups may be more susceptible or require special attention when it comes to prevention and treatment.

How does swimmer’s ear affect children differently?

Children may be particularly prone to swimmer’s ear due to:

• More time spent in water during summer months
• Narrower ear canals that trap water more easily
• Less developed immune systems
• Tendency to insert objects into their ears

Parents should be vigilant about ear care after swimming and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms appear.

What precautions should competitive swimmers take?

Competitive swimmers, who spend significant time in the water, can reduce their risk of swimmer’s ear by:

• Using custom-fitted earplugs designed for swimming
• Thoroughly drying ears after each swimming session
• Using alcohol-based ear drops after swimming to help dry the ear canal
• Maintaining proper pool hygiene and water quality
• Taking regular breaks from water exposure to allow ears to dry naturally

Myths and Misconceptions: Clearing Up Common Confusion About Swimmer’s Ear

There are several myths surrounding swimmer’s ear that can lead to misunderstandings about its causes, prevention, and treatment. Let’s address some of these misconceptions to provide clarity.

Is swimmer’s ear contagious?

No, swimmer’s ear is not contagious. It’s an infection of the ear canal caused by bacteria or fungi thriving in a moist environment. You can’t catch it from someone else or spread it to others.

Does swimmer’s ear only affect swimmers?

Despite its name, swimmer’s ear can affect anyone, not just swimmers. While frequent swimming increases the risk, any activity that introduces moisture or irritants into the ear canal can lead to swimmer’s ear. This includes showering, bathing, or even sweating excessively.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to treat swimmer’s ear?

While some people suggest using hydrogen peroxide to clean the ears and prevent swimmer’s ear, it’s not recommended as a treatment. Hydrogen peroxide can further irritate the already inflamed ear canal. Always consult a healthcare provider for proper treatment options.

Is it safe to use ear candles for swimmer’s ear?

Ear candles are not a safe or effective treatment for swimmer’s ear. They can cause serious injuries, including burns and punctured eardrums. The FDA has warned against their use for any ear condition.

By understanding these myths and focusing on proper prevention and treatment methods, you can effectively manage and reduce your risk of developing swimmer’s ear. Remember, when in doubt, always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.

Swimmer’s ear: Causes, symptoms and how to treat it

It starts with an itch inside your ear. Your ear opening may look a little red. There’s also discomfort when you pull on your outer ear or push the little bump in front of your ear’s opening. You might even have some clear fluid draining from your ear. What’s going on?

These are all symptoms of swimmer’s ear, a condition that can affect people of all ages. In the beginning, swimmer’s ear is usually pretty mild. But without treatment, the symptoms of swimmer’s ear can go from mild to severe, causing worsening pain and serious complications.

Read on to learn about swimmer’s ear, what causes it and when to get help.

What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal which runs from the eardrum to the outside of your head. Another name for swimmer’s ear is otitis externa.

Swimmer’s ear vs. ear infection: What’s the difference?

Swimmer’s ear is a common type of ear infection that affects the outer ear. It’s also possible to get infections in your inner and middle ear.

One difference between swimmer’s ear and other types of ear infections is what causes them. Swimmer’s ear happens when things from the outside get into your ear canal, causing bacterial growth.

Inner and middle ear infections usually follow an illness such as the flu, a cold or allergies, which causes fluid buildup or inflammation inside the ear.

What are the symptoms of swimmer’s ear?

Symptoms of swimmer’s ear change, based on how far along it is. Getting treatment for swimmer’s ear while it’s still in the early stages can help keep it from getting worse.

Mild symptoms of swimmer’s ear

• An itch in your ear
• Some redness in your ear canal
• Discomfort when you push or pull on your ear
• Clear, odorless fluid coming from your ear

Moderate symptoms of swimmer’s ear

• Increasing itchiness
• Ear pain that gets worse when you chew or move your ear
• An ear canal that looks more red
• A feeling of fullness in your ear
• Muffled hearing or hearing loss
• Lots of fluid coming from the ear – it may be yellow or yellow-green, and it’s often smelly

Advanced symptoms of swimmer’s ear

• Severe ear pain that may spread to your face, neck or side of your head
• Swelling in your ear canal, outer ear or glands in your neck
• Redness both in the ear canal and the outside of the ear
• Fever

Of course, if you have an itchy, red, swollen ear canal, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have swimmer’s ear. You may have a different type of ear infection, allergies or a skin irritation. Here’s a way to tell: if it doesn’t hurt when you pull on your earlobe, it’s probably not swimmer’s ear.

But even if it’s not swimmer’s ear, it’s still a good idea to talk to a doctor and get treatment for whatever is causing your ear problems.

What causes swimmer’s ear?

Despite the name, you don’t need to go swimming to get swimmer’s ear. It can happen whenever dirty water, sand, dirt or other debris gets into your ear canal and stays there for a long time or comes in contact with irritated skin, causing bacteria or fungi to grow.

Usually, water that gets in your ear flows out on its own so that the ear canal can dry. Your earwax can also kill the fungi and bacteria that’s in the dirty water or debris. But this process is interrupted when you get swimmer’s ear.

How does the ear canal get irritated?

If the skin of your ear canal is injured or damaged, you’re more likely to get swimmer’s ear. Here are a few reasons why that might happen:

• Your ear canal is too dry– A healthy amount of earwax helps protect you against infection. Cleaning your ears too often can hurt the skin, making it more likely that you’ll get an infection.
• You stick things in your ears– If you’re in the habit of putting fingers, pens, pins or Q-tips in your ears, you’re more likely to damage the skin of your ear canal. Infections are more likely to form if you have broken or irritated skin in your ears.
• You have a skin condition in your ear– If your skin is irritated or inflamed because of eczema or psoriasis, it’s more likely to crack open or become injured.
• You wear a hearing aid– You could have irritation in the ear canal if your hearing aid doesn’t fit well or is causing an allergic reaction. If your hearing aid seems uncomfortable, talk to an audiologist about a hearing aid evaluation.

How does water get stuck in your ear?

Usually, when water gets in your ear, it comes out quickly and easily. But sometimes, it’s difficult for water to flow out once it gets in. Here are some reasons why:

• You have a lot of ear hair– Hair in the ear canal can trap dirty water or debris.
• Your ear canal is swollen– This can happen if the skin of the ear canal is injured or irritated.
• There’s impacted earwax– While a healthy amount of earwax keeps your ears safe from swimmer’s ear, impacted earwax can make it more likely to trap dirty water or debris, causing germs to grow.
• You live in a warm, humid climate– If the air is always humid, it’s difficult for your ear canal to dry out.

How can you tell if you have water in your ear?

If you have water in your ears, your ears may feel plugged and you may have muffled hearing. You may also have ear pain, a loss of balance, ringing in the ears, a runny nose or a sore throat.

Is swimmer’s ear contagious?

No, swimmer’s ear doesn’t spread between people.

How long does swimmer’s ear last?

Mild cases of swimmer’s ear sometimes clear up on their own within a few weeks. But if your swimmer’s ear has advanced symptoms, it can take longer to go away. With treatment, swimmer’s ear will likely go away in 7-10 days.

What are the complications of swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear usually isn’t serious, but if left untreated, it could cause problems such as:

• Temporary hearing loss (hearing usually returns to normal after the infection is gone)
• Ear infections that don’t go away or keep coming back
• Damage to the bones and cartilage in your ear
• An infection in nearby tissue, the skull, brain or nerves

If you have complications following a swimmer’s ear infection, your primary care doctor may recommend you make an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor. They specialize in ear care and can help you get back to feeling, and hearing, better.

When should I go to the doctor for swimmer’s ear?

Even if you have mild symptoms of swimmer’s ear, it’s a good idea to talk to your primary care doctor. They’ll be able to determine what’s causing your symptoms and get you on the road to recovery.

Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following:

• Fever
• Severe pain in or around the ear
• Hearing loss or changes
• Fluid coming from your ears that’s yellow, yellow-green or smelly

Your doctor will be able to tell if it’s swimmer’s ear by looking in your ear and asking some questions. If you have pus coming from your ear, your doctor may collect a sample to send in for testing.

You can also start a Virtuwell visit for swimmer’s ear any time, day or night to get treatment for swimmer’s ear. They’ll see anyone over the age of 5 years old.

How to get rid of swimmer’s ear

During the appointment, your doctor will provide information about how to make sure that your infection doesn’t get worse. They may recommend one or more of the following as part of your swimmer’s ear treatment plan:

Prescription eardrops

Prescription eardrops are a common treatment for swimmer’s ear. They may contain steroids, antibiotics or antifungal ingredients depending on the cause or severity of your ear infection. The ear drops work by calming the inflammation while also killing the bacteria or fungus causing the infection. Most of the time, you’ll place drops in your ear 3-4 times a day for five days.

Heat

Holding a warm washcloth to your ear can help keep the pain away. Another option is using a heating pad on low – just make sure you don’t fall asleep while it’s on since you could burn yourself.

Over-the-counter pain medication

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) may make you feel more comfortable. But not every medication is appropriate for children. If you’re not sure what you should give your child, contact your doctor or nurse line.

Keep your ears dry

It’s best to keep water out of your ear until the infection is gone. If you swim, use a swimming cap that fits snuggly over your ears and consider using soft earplugs when showering or bathing. Also, carefully towel off your ears any time they get wet.

Tips to prevent swimmer’s ear

If you’ve had swimmer’s ear before, you’re more likely to get it again. Keeping germy water out of your ear goes a long way toward preventing future ear infections. You’ll have the best protection if you don’t swim in dirty water and keep soap, bubble bath and shampoo out of the ear canal. You may also consider using earplugs when swimming or showering – especially if you’ve had ear tube surgery.

In addition, take the steps below to protect the skin in your ear canal and keep the insides of your ears as dry as possible.

How to avoid irritating your skin

Remember, you’re more likely to get swimmer’s ear if the skin in the ear canal is damaged. So, anything you do to protect your ear should help reduce your chance of swimmer’s ear.

• Don’t stick anything in your ear.Even Q-tips and earwax removal tools can damage the ear canal and cause impacted earwax. There are other ways to clean your ears without Q-tips.
• Don’t overclean your ears.While earwax may seem unappealing, it helps protect your ears from injury and may even kill the bacteria and fungi that can cause swimmer’s ear.
• If possible, limit use of earplugs and earbuds.If you use them a lot, they could irritate your ear canal or lead to earwax buildup. Safe use of earbuds involves cleaning them at least weekly. Also, change your earplugs regularly.

How to remove water from your ear

If dirty water sits in your ear for too long, it’s possible you could get swimmer’s ear. These are things you can try to get the water out of your ear:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) eardrops– Fluid-drying eardrops such as Swim Ear can help dry out your ear. The isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in the eardrops combine with the water in the ear to help dry out your ear.
• Use a hairdryer– Use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to gently dry your ears. Just point it at your ears for a couple of minutes from a safe distance. Consider doing this each time you shower or get your ears wet.
• Chewing and yawning– Moving your mouth can relieve pressure inside your ear, making it easier for water to flow out.
• Pull your ear– Tilt your head so the plugged ear faces the floor. Then pull back the top part of your ear. This straightens out the ear canal, allowing trapped water to drain.
• Push it out– Close your mouth, plug your nose and then push air into your cheeks. This can help lower the pressure in your ears, allowing the water to come out.
• Create suction– Place a flat hand over your affected ear and push down for a couple of seconds. When you remove your hand, the suction effect may loosen the trapped water.

Getting treatment for swimmer’s ear

If you notice symptoms of swimmer’s ear, it’s time to talk to a doctor. While the symptoms can be mild in the beginning, untreated swimmer’s ear can get worse and cause serious problems. The good news is that swimmer’s ear usually goes away pretty quickly with treatment.

For people of all ages, an in-person or video visit with a primary care doctor can get you an official diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Or for those 5 years old and older, online treatment through Virtuwell is available anytime day or night.

What to Do if Your Child Gets Swimmer’s Ear | University of Utah Health

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Swimmers get water in their ears a lot. But when fluid starts coming out of the ears, it’s time to see the doctor.

If your child has swimmer’s ear, you’ll probably know it pretty quickly. He or she may have painful ear canals, their ear will hurt if it’s moved up and down or if the tab on the outer ear that covers the ear canal is pushed in. If the child’s ear feels really plugged up or you see discharge coming out of the ear. Now the discharge will be clear at first. But if it’s not treated within 24 hours, it usually becomes yellow, and more like puss coming out of the ears. Clear drainage without ear pain is most likely water. That’s not concerning for an infection.

Swimmer’s ear occurs when your child’s ears have been in the water for long periods of time and the water gets trapped in the ear canal. And the lining becomes damp, swollen, and prone to infection. Children are more likely to get swimmer’s ear from swimming in a lake or a river compared to swimming in swimming pools or the sea. During the hottest weeks of summer, some lakes have really high levels of bacteria and narrow ear canals of children increase the risk of swimmer’s ear.

Cotton swabs also contribute to the problem by causing wax build up. When you go to clean your clean your ears with a Q-tip, you’re actually pushing the wax in further, and then you can get water trapped behind it. Swimmer’s ear is easy to treat and the symptoms should be better within three days of starting treatment and cleared up within seven days.

Your child will need eardrops prescribed by your pediatrician that have both an antibiotic and a steroid in them. Be sure to run the eardrops into the ear canal with your child lying on his side so that air isn’t trapped under the drops. Move the earlobe back and forth to help the eardrops pass down deep into the canal. And be sure to finish the eardrops as prescribed to make sure the infection is completely treated.

Generally, your child should not swim until the symptoms are gone. Continued swimming may cause a slower recovery, but it won’t cause any serious problems. For mild swimmer’s ear without puss coming out of the ear or serious ear pain, you can treat it at home. Use a mixture of one part water and one part white vinegar, and put 3 drops in the affected ear. After five minutes, remove the drops by turning the head to the side and rubbing the ear. Do this twice a day until the ear canal feels normal again.

So often parents ask, “How can I prevent swimmer’s ear in my child?” First, limit how many hours a day your child spends in the water. The key to prevention is keeping the ear canals dry when your child is not swimming. After swimming, get all of the water out of the ear canals by turning the head to the side and pulling out the earlobe in different directions to help water run out. You can also put a towel into the ear and help soak up the water. Dry the opening to the ear canal very carefully so you don’t injure the ear canal by going too far in.

If recurrent ear infections are a big problem, rinse your child’s ear canals with three drops of rubbing alcohol each time he or she finishes swimming to help dry the ear canal and kill germs.

Another helpful home remedy is to use the solution of half water and half vinegar. The vinegar will restore the normal acid balance to the ear canal. Your child may also benefit from using earplugs or a swimming cap to keep the water out of the ear canal in the first place. Remember, rubbing alcohol is helpful for preventing swimmer’s ear, but not for treating it because it stings the ear too much.

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Every person at least once had to deal with the fact that water got into the ear. This is at least unpleasant, and gurgling sounds may appear in the ear, and there it’s not far from pain. It is even more unpleasant if an infection gets into the ear along with the water. Otolaryngologist Emma Magomedova told our colleagues from Wday.ru what to do in such a situation.

Maybe you didn’t know, but a person actually has three ears: inner, middle and outer. Between the outer and middle ear is the eardrum, which will become a barrier for water that has got inside the ear, so do not panic that water will leak into the ear canal and it will not be possible to remove it. In most cases, the removal of water from the ear canal ends without any consequences, but in some cases a complication may develop, accompanied by noise and stuffiness in the ears.

This may be, for example, from a sulfur plug swollen due to water. It can be removed by washing the ears yourself with special preparations, but it is better to consult a specialist. At the hospital, the sulfuric plug will be removed using medical instruments.

Under no circumstances should you wash your ears yourself if you have had any ear problems before, as the procedure can provoke inflammation in this case.

– Another cause of complications after removal of water from the ear can be inflammation of the external auditory canal and middle ear, accompanied by a feeling of congestion, pain, itching and even purulent discharge. And in this case, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. In rare cases, water can enter the middle ear bypassing the eardrum through a long, narrow canal located in the nasopharynx, the Eustachian tube. Most often, divers and those swimmers who accidentally sucked in water through their noses get inflammation of the middle ear in this way, says the otolaryngologist.

The most popular and effective way is to jump on one leg, tilting your head to one side, down with the ear into which the water has fallen. If water gets into the left ear, you should jump on the left foot, if in the right – on the right.

– When this does not work, lie on your side with the bad ear down. Perform several sharp swallowing movements and try, by straining the muscles located next to the ears, to move them. As a rule, you don’t have to do this for a long time: if the water has not penetrated deeply, it quickly flows out. You can facilitate the exit of water by inserting a long thin flagellum twisted from sterile cotton wool into the ear. In this case, just lie down in this position calmly – water can be absorbed into the flagellum or flow out under the influence of gravity, the doctor advises.

Yes, but be careful, the temperature of the airflow must not be too high to avoid burns. Do not hold the hair dryer too close to your ear. To speed up the process of evaporation of water from the ear will help a linen bag tightly stuffed with coarse salt. Heat it up and lie down on this pillow with your ear pressed against it.

You can also try to get rid of water with breathing exercises. Stand up straight, take a very deep breath, hold the air in your chest for a few seconds, pinching your nose with your fingers. Without opening them, take a deep sharp exhalation, but at the same time the mouth and nose should remain closed. If you do it right, air through the Eustachian tube (the canal that connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx. – Approx. ed. ) will enter the ears, and under its action the water will pour out.

– With water, an infection can get into the ear, so people’s fears about this are not unfounded. The first thing to do is tilt your head. The second is to lie on your side and put your ear on a flat surface. Try several times to make swallowing movements. Third, gently, but not deeply, insert a cotton swab or Q-tip. Just do not try to lower it into the inner part of the ear. It can hurt! In general, doctors do not advise them to clean their ears, says the expert.

According to otolaryngologist Emma Magomedova, it should be taken into account that cotton swabs are not intended directly for cleaning the ears. Many people think that you need to get rid of earwax immediately. However, it has an important function – it protects against infections. Few people think about the fact that their use can lead to hearing loss. Because in this way you do not clean out the sulfur, but, on the contrary, push it in and touch the membrane. Doctors recommend coming to the clinic once a year for a gentle cleaning of the ears.

If, after all the manipulations, the noise inside the ear continues to disturb or there is a feeling of congestion, then you are faced with complications. Perhaps the sulfur plug was swollen with water, so the hearing began to deteriorate noticeably. Recall, in no case should you try to pull it out with cotton swabs. At the first symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. He will wash his ear with a syringe with a special solution. If you feel itching inside and there is a discharge, this indicates a serious inflammation of the ear canal. In this case, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and choose further treatment tactics.

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Water in the ear does not come out: what to do

Water in the ear is not only an unpleasant sensation, but also a potential danger. We tell you what to do so that after bathing there is no external otitis, and also what you should not do in any case.

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Have you just had a good swim or spent a couple of wonderful hours lying in a cozy bubble bath with scented candles? Very pleasant sensations – but then, like a fly in the ointment, it appears, water in the ear. By the way, it can be not only water after swimming, but also, for example, sweat – on a hot day or after an intense workout, especially if the auditory canals are plugged with headphones, this is not uncommon. Usually we don’t even really notice the discomfort or it doesn’t last very long – well, yes, water got into the ear and it was blocked, as it was blocked, it will be postponed, but sometimes the moisture lingers there, and then you have to take additional actions to get rid of it.

And you definitely need to get rid of it – firstly, the liquid prevents you from listening and hearing – you distinguish sounds worse, as if you are still under water. Secondly, bacteria prefer to live in a humid environment, they multiply faster there, and this is not good for your health, because many bacteria provoke the development of inflammatory processes. Otitis externa, or “swimmer’s ear”, is a common consequence of fresh or sea water getting into the ear. To prevent the development of infection, you need to remove moisture from the ear canal as soon as possible and do it correctly without harming yourself. What to do if water does not come out of the ear, and what measures should not be taken in any case?

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Water in the ear: what to do

We will describe several ways to remove water from the ear after swimming or exercising. Important: do not make sudden movements, the hearing aid is quite gentle, so you need to do everything carefully.

1. Take a clean soft towel, tissue or other cloth. Blot the outside of your ear. There is no need to climb inside with a towel, it is enough to dry the outer part of the ear.
2. Tilt your head with the affected ear down. Gently pull yourself on the lobe of this ear. This will open up the ear canal, and the water will probably find its way out. You can not bend over, but simply lie on your side on the side with your ear stuffed up.
3. If that doesn’t work, try vacuuming the water out of your ear. You always have the means for this at hand – that is, it is your hand. Tilt your head with the injured ear down, press your palm against it so that it covers the ear. Press it harder and release it, repeat the same steps several times. Thus, congestion can disappear.
4. Another option is a warm compress. Apply it to your ear for 30 seconds, remove it for a minute, repeat the same 4-5 times. The compress can be made from the same towel that you used to wipe your ear before, just dip it in hot water and wring it out. The temperature of the compress should be above body temperature, but not by much.
5. A hairdryer can be used instead of a compress. Set it to minimum and blow into your ear from a distance of at least 30 centimeters. As you might guess, this will dry out the inside of the ear, and if there is less moisture, then, perhaps, the water plug will resolve faster. By the way, the life hack to pull on the earlobe works here too.

The following methods can only be used if you are sure that your eardrum is not damaged. Otherwise, excess fluid can get even deeper into the ear, and then not only external, but also otitis media can develop. All three methods below involve putting something in the ear.

1. The easiest way is to buy ear canal drying drops at the pharmacy.
2. You can also make these drops yourself: mix medical alcohol and ordinary vinegar in a 1:1 ratio, put a few drops into the affected ear with a pipette and wait half a minute for the solution to take effect. Then bend your ear down and pull yourself by the lobe again. Alcohol works as a drying agent and antiseptic, while vinegar works as an antibacterial agent.
3. Ordinary hydrogen peroxide can also help. It will soften the contents of the ear – 3-4 drops from a pipette, wait a couple of minutes, then bend your ear down again and pull yourself by the earlobe.

If none of our 8 methods helped, make an appointment with a doctor. He will definitely deal with your ear, and even see if there are any signs of otitis media. Some of them you can notice yourself.

In the early stage: itching in the ear canal, slight redness that is visible from the outside, slight discomfort that is aggravated by pulling or pressing on the auricle, clear liquid flowing out.

In the middle stage: more intense itching, pain, increasing redness, leakage of fluid, hearing loss, feeling as if the ear is full.

In the advanced stage: severe pain that may radiate to the head or neck, blockage of the ear canal, swelling or redness of the ear, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes.

These are signs that otitis externa is developing with might and main, and you will need an appointment with an otolaryngologist even at an early stage.

What not to do if there is water in your ear

The steps below seem obvious, but they can only make you feel worse. Under no circumstances:

1. Get into the ear with any object – cotton swabs, fingers, or some other means at hand. They will not help remove the obstacle and unblock the way for water, on the contrary, a finger or a cotton swab easily collects sulfur, forming a cork. Cotton buds are especially harmful – due to their small diameter, they can penetrate very deeply into the ear, they can easily damage the eardrum. In addition, the skin inside the ear canal is too delicate, easy to scratch, and any scratch is a “highway” for infection.
2. Be patient. The longer you endure – the greater the activity of bacteria, respectively, the higher the risk of developing otitis media. If water gets into the ear and it hurts, consult a doctor as soon as possible, maybe the inflammatory processes have already begun.

If you do any water sports or just love to lie in the bath, do it in a special cap or buy earplugs.