College students work hard, and the demands of homework, late-night studying and exams make spring break a much‑needed relief. As you enjoy your well‑earned time off, don’t forget to take care of your ear health. Whether you’re driving to the beach or relaxing at Grant Park Pool, it’s important to protect yourself from swimmer’s ear, an infection that can quickly put a damper on your break.
What To Know About Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It’s a common condition, with about 10% of people in the U.S. having it at some point. Symptoms may include:
- Ear pain or discomfort
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Itchiness in the ear
- Redness or swelling in the outer ear
- Muffled hearing
- Fever
There are a lot of things that can cause swimmer’s ear, but the most common cause is any activity that traps water in the ear canal, such as swimming or showering. When water gets trapped in the ear canal, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive. While you can get swimmer’s ear from any water exposure, unfiltered water, like the kind you find at a lake or beach, will increase your risk.
Swimmer’s Ear Prevention Tips
There are a few ways to lower your risk of swimmer’s ear, including:
- Dry your ears. After swimming, dry your ears thoroughly. Pat them dry with a towel and tug on your earlobe with your ear pointed down to encourage water to drain. If you still feel like there’s water in your ears, you can use a hair dryer on a cool setting. Set the power to low and hold it at least a foot from your ear to avoid damaging your hearing.
- Wear earplugs. If you spend a lot of time in the water, wear earplugs when you swim to keep water out of your ears.
- Swim in clean water. If you’re prone to swimmer’s ear, stick to filtered pools for swimming laps. You can still enjoy lakes and rivers, but try to limit how much water gets into your ears while in them.
If you do develop swimmer’s ear, we’ll likely recommend medicated ear drops to clear the infection. Depending on the cause, they’ll be either antibiotics or antifungals. You may need steroid drops to reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help ease discomfort.
Schedule Your ENT Appointment
Don’t let swimmer’s ear get in the way of your spring break fun. To learn more about protecting your ears or to schedule a consultation for ear pain, contact ENT of Georgia North today.
