Remedies for Swimmers Ear - the Outer Ear Infection

Swimmers ear or otitis externa is an outer ear infection. Otitis externa usually happens when the ear canal is exposed to lots of water as in swimming and diving. When there is too much water entering the ear canal, it removes the ear wax that is supposed to protect the ear. Bacteria can then easily infect the ear.

Fungus can cause an outer ear infection. So does poking it with an object or when water gets trapped in your ears after a shower. But the main culprit is the microorganisms in the pool, ocean, river or lake. You are more prone to get and infection if you swim in a hot temperature in the summer. Minus the ear wax, the bacteria that enter your ear canal together with the warm water, find it an ideal situation to multiply fast.

swimming

How to Prevent Swimmers Ear and How to Get Water Out of Your Ear

If you find that the pool, river, lake or ocean is dirty, don't go in. There are bound to be a lot of bacteria in it.
Shake the water out after a swim, dive or shower if you sense that there is water sitting inside your ears. A very popular practice is to stand on one leg, tilt your body with the affected ear facing down and jump several times.
Drip a few drops of a mixture of vinegar and water into your ears after your swim or dive.
Use a bathing cap or ear plug to prevent water from entering your ear canals.
If you are a regular swimmer, take precaution by adding health or herbal supplements to strengthen your immune system. Herbs such as echinacea, cat's claw, garlic, goldenseal, chlorella and olive leaf extract have the ability to boost your immune system.

If you find that water has already clogged in your ears and have started to itch or is causing pain, try these remedies.

Drop 1 to 3 drops of mullein flower oil, tea tree oil or garlic oil extract into your ears. These herbs have antimicrobial properties and may help soothe the irritation.
Take garlic supplement or eat garlic. Garlic has antibacterial, anti viral and anti fungal properties.
Drop hydrogen peroxide into your ears. Allow it to stay for a few minutes and then drain it out by tilting your ear.

If your ear pain isn't relieved or gone after 2 or 3 days or if there is a discharge coming out from it, see a doctor.