Swimmers' ear?

Rob, unfortunately I have this problem EVERYTIME I swim, especially my left ear. I just buy the over the counter products like SWIMMER's ear or even generic brands at my local drug store. They work. I don't know about you but I am considering ear plugs while training now.

Hope it helps.
Tony

Step one. Keep the water from getting in there in the first place. Doc's Proplugs work really well. Little tip, get the red ones. Even though it will look like your ears are bleeding while you have them in, they are much easier to find if you drop one.

Step two. Without the earplus, you can put in some ear dressing after each swim. Mix up equal parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. The alcohol will help dry out your ear and the vinegar will pickle and bad-nasties that might be in the water. When I dive in "nasty water" I wear Proplugs, a hood and then use the dressing. Yes, I consider pools nasty water sometimes...

Oh, to use the dressing, tilt your head so that one ear is up and pour a little in. Don't rub it in too hard, but let it sit for a minute (the US Navy says 15 to 20 minutes each ear, but who has that much time?). Tilt your head to the other side and repeat. Don't let the situation get bad though, you may want to see a doctor for some sort of preparation for otitis externa (swimmer's ear). There are also a plethora of OTC preps too. Take care buddy.

-Frank

I agree Whit, Ear plugs are like goggles - required gear for swimming.

You've reiceved good adivce here, but really the problem is avoidalble all toghether. While your picking up the medicine grab some ear plugs. I prefer the plugs over silicone which doesn't last as long.

Thanks for the replies!

I went and got some "Simmer's Ear" drops, and some plugs.
Is it okay to use the drops after the fact? I mean, I already have the discomfort.

Thanks again,
Rob

I use a rubbing alcohol/ hydrogen peroxide combo if I get a lot of water in my ear. A couple of drops in each ear.


If it hurts when you pull gently on your ear lobe or the top of your ear then its probably swimmer's ear.

Hm, I've never used earplugs!! I've never felt water go in my ear either, maybe it's because I pull my cap down to cover most of my ears? Anyways, if I wanted to get them, where would I got? Do they sell them at Sports Authority or something like that?

Hi Lisa,They should sell basic earplugs at Sports Authority and other sports store. You'll probably find silicone plugs and flanged plugs. I used the silicone plugs at first, but they didn't stay in. The flanged plugs were uncomfortable at first (hint: don't pull your cap over them), but I've adjusted and they work much better.I still tend to get water in my ears even with the plugs in. The first time I tried swimming, I could not turn my head to either side to breathe without them getting filled up, even with the cap pulled over them. Maybe there's something about the shape of my ears that makes me prone to it. I know for sure that I wouldn't rotate my body and head correctly if I didn't have earplugs, because I'd just be scooping up water.Anyway, they're only a few bucks so it won't break you if you hate 'em.

I had that same problem about a week ago. I used Swimear and some sudafed and motrin for a few days and it cleared up.

Our daughter uses plugs - you can get them at CVS, wal-mart a cheap $2-3 investment. I wouldn't reccommend using rubbing alcohol while you have swimmers ear... it'll burn and hurt badly!. Wait till the ear is healthy again then use rubbing alcohol as a preventive measue.

Cathleen

Swimmer's ear presents with pain pulling on the ear, or with drainage from the ear.  With the sore throat, I'm thinking you might have something else going on.  The Sanford guide (the antibiotic bible in medicine) recommends a solution of 2/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 white vinegar - put a few drops in each ear after swimming to PREVENT (but not cure) swimmer's ear.

I think swimming with ear plugs would drive me crazy! I also never pull the cap over my ears. I usually don't feel comfortable in the pool UNTIL the water gets in and hits my ear drums. Then I just listen to the quiet underwater while I swim. I guess I'm a little wierd.

When I used to swim on swim team in the summer, I'd use alchol in my ears...pour some on a cotton ball, then squeeze the cotton ball so it drips in your ears. Wait till you hear it hit your eardrum, then tilt your head the oterh way and it will all come out. I've never had an ear infection of the internal or external type, so maybe I've just been lucky.

From diving, I have always heard the the commercial drops are the LAST thing you want to use.... no idea why though, so that's a lot of help.

I know a lot of people that use homemmade mixtrues of alcohol and water.

And plugs are a good idea too, although I rarely use them. Like Adventure Bear, I like the quiet..... Sometimes I find my ears draining water 2-3 hours after the workout. Then I turn my car stereo down :^)

I have never had trouble (so far) with water in my ears.  It must be all the (brains) in that head of mine keeping the water out.  (A great big   )   My daughter got swimmer's ear from lounging in the bathtub (when she was a toddler).  She loved to float on her back in the tub.