Before we say anything further, let’s say what swimmer’s ear is…

Swimmer’s ear is painful, and it is awful to get. But you already knew that. What you may not know is that it is actually an infection in the outer ear canal. The outer ear canal is from our eardrum-out.

How do you get it? Most often, it’s brought about from water that remained in your ear after swimming, and it’s this moist environment in your ear canal where bacteria thrives… thus, the infection. You can also pick it up from putting your fingers, cotton swabs, toys, or anything else that a kid wants to stick in their ear. 

Now let’s get to the important stuff - what do you do about it? Here are the tips on treating swimmer’s ear. Keep in mind… that treatment early is the best - if there’s any inclination that you or your child has swimmer’s ear - go ahead and treat it early. Please run all of the following by your personal doctor before trying - everyone is different, so perhaps you specifically could experience an issue.

1. Rinsing your ear with equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Use a bulb syringe and that the solution is room temperature.

2. Try nonprescription eardrums (example Swim-Ear), use before and after swimming (or getting your ears wet).

3. Ease ear pain with applying a warm washcloth or heating pad set on low. This will melt some of your earwax, which could free up the liquid to flush out. NOT recommended for children.

4. Ear candles are a NO GO. No proven benefits and objects such as this in your ear can cause serious injury. 

Keep monitoring the symptoms of swimmer’s ear. If they persist for several days or become more severe, please contact your personal physician.