Got a burning pain in your ear? You might have this infection – read on to find out what exactly swimmer’s ear is.
The Low-Down On Swimmer’s Ear
You know the drill: there’s a weird sloshing in your ear after your epic swim sesh, and nothing, not even lying on one side awkwardly for hours, seems to help. A few days later, your ear aches and boom – you’ve got swimmer’s ear. The symptoms are anything from itching, mild hearing loss, and pain (anything from a dull ache to severe burning).
Here’s how it happens: Your ears have an outer canal that runs from the eardrum (inside) to the actual ear (outside). This is a channel for hearing, but also occasionally allows moisture in, when you shower or swim. When water enters that canal, it can get trapped. The moisture lingers in your canal, inviting gross bacteria to grow, which causes your ear to become infected and inflamed. Swimmers are the people who get this most often (hence the name) but if you have a build-up of wax, it can happen to you too.
The Remedy
If a remedy of equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar – five drops twice a day – doesn’t bring relief within 72 hours, see your GP.
Avoid it: Avoid the problem in the first place by drying your ears with a towel or a hairdryer set on low.
Looking for more on swimming? Try this kilojoule-burning water workout, plus is it really safe to swim in a public pool?
