Swimmers Ears: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Natural Treatment
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Loading ...Swimmers ear is an infection of the outer ear canal, sometimes caused by a fungus (jungle ear). More often, and especially in painful cases, its caused by any one of a number of bacteria.
It starts usually when water gets stuck in the ear canal for day or two. The inside of the ear gets wrinkled up, as our hands or feet get while they are in water for a long time, becoming soggy and vulnerable to infections. Moist, warm and dark ear canals is the most susceptible environment for the growth of bacteria.
The full-blown case of swimmers ear takes a few days to develop. First the ear feels blocked and itchy. Soon it becomes red, tender and swollen. Sometimes it swells shut or starts draining a milky liquid. It is also very sensitive to touch, especially on the triangular bit of cartilage in front of the ear canal called the tragus.
Prevention of Swimmers Ear
Since swimmers ear usually recur frequently, preventive measure if followed strictly, should prevent further recurrences.
- Use earplugs made from plastic molds before going to swim.
- Warm stagnant water is more likely to cause infections than fast moving water. Ensure that the pool you visit is regularly chlorinated.
- Persons with ear wax are bound to get swimmers ear as the water gets trapped in the ear due to wax. So keep the ears wax free.
- Always keep the ears covered when you are at place with high amount of humidity levels. Humidity is a safe haven for any fungal growth.
Swimmers Ear Home Remedies and treatment
- In case of earache, cold drafts will cause more pain and warmth makes feel comfortable. Cupping your hands over the ears can provide soothing relief. Use heating pad or hot water bottle.
- Paste made from ginger, onion and garlic in equal quantity should be applied on the external surface of ear. This helps in relieving pain. It should also be taken internally in the form of juice extract thrice in a day.
- In acute case, use isopropyl alcohol (available as rubbing alcohol) on the external surface.
- In case along with pain there is yellow discharge from ears and fever, an ENT specialist should be consulted, as there may be a bacterial infection in the ear canal, which has to be treated properly with both internal and external application of medicines, to get rid of infection.
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