A common problem among swimmers is a slowly developing pain in the ear. It might be Swimmer's Ear (External Otitis). It can start with a itchy ear feeling after a swim that, in time, intensifies to pain, particularly when the ear is touched or the ear is pulled.
This could be caused by water trapped in the ear canal after a swim. Your ear then becomes a great place for bacteria or fungus to grow, leading to an infection. The best cure? Prevention! Dry your ear - if you have difficulty, a product like the Sahara DryEar might help.
You can also use commercially available products to dry the ears, but you can also make your own. Mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar, and instill one to two drops in each ear after a swim. Assuming your physician has given you the OK to use ear drops, a drop or two in each ear after swimming will:
- Help break the surface tension of the water in your ear so it doesn't cling within the canal.
- Help dry the canal as the alcohol evaporates.
- Promote a slightly acidic pH in your ear canal - bacteria and fungus don't grow well in that type of environment.
Don't use swabs or other objects in an attempt to dry the ear canal, since you could cause damage to your ear drum. You can use earplugs to limit or prevent water from getting in your ears, but these are not always effective. You might like to try the Ear Protective Goggle to keep water out of your ears.
Physicians give mixed advice on when you can return to the pool after a bout of swimmer's ear. Some say that as long as you are treating it you don't need to miss any water time. Others state that a 6-10 day no-swimming period should be followed to insure complete healing; if this is not done it will take longer for healing to occur. Ask your doctor for advice.
Have a pain in the ear? Take care of it - but better yet, stop it before it happens.
Swim On!
Mat
