With summer here and temperatures soaring in the high 90’s, the one thing one everybody’s mind is how do I beat this heat. One way that increasingly popular because of it affordability is getting out doors to the creek or a local pool. Did you know that those places can be a breading ground for all sorts dangerous bacteria. Bacteria that cause the infections like swimmers ear. Check out this thoughtfully curated article on this summer nuisance.
Following swimming, the following symptoms usually appear after a fun day in the water.
- Itchy ears.
- An ear that is red and swollen.
- An ear that hurts after tugging.
- An ear that is filled with pus.
Infections, even if mild at first, can often become more serious if left untreated. A healthcare provider should be consulted if you suspect swimmer’s ear. Ear drops for swimmer’s ear are available.
Transmitting
Symptoms are caused by prolonged contact with water that will nurture germs. As a result, the ear canal will become infected with bacteria. Among the most common causes of swimmer’s ear are the germs found in pools and other recreational water venues.
It is impossible to spread swimmer’s ear.
Preventative Measures
Swimmers’ ear can be prevented by following these steps.
- Maintain a dry environment in your ears.
- Use earplugs, swim molds, or bathing caps when swimming.
- Following a bath or swim, completely dry your ears.
- Dry your ears thoroughly with a towel.
- You should hold your head in a downward position so that each ear canal can escape water.
- When your ear is facing down, rotate the earlobe to help drain water.
- Try blowing air into your ears with a hair dryer if there is still water in them.
- Use the lowest speed and heat setting of the dryer.
- Aim it at your ear.
- Objects shouldn’t be placed in your ear canal.
- Ear wax shouldn’t be tried to be removed. Infection can be prevented by the wax.
- Your healthcare provider should be consulted if you think that ear wax is blocking your ear canal.
- If you have swimming problems, you may benefit from using ear drops.
- A person with an ear tube, damaged eardrums, outer ear infection, or eustachian tube should not use drops.
- Ensure that the swimming pool/hot tub operator checks the pH level and disinfectant level regularly. Disinfectants and pH levels in pools and hot tubs that are adequate are less likely to spread bacteria.
Citations.
Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa). Harvard Health. (2022, February 28). Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/swimmers-ear-otitis-externa-a-to-z
Middle-ear infection (otitis media). Harvard Health. (2019, February 1). Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/middle-ear-infection-otitis-media-a-to-z
Swimmer’s ear – not just for swimmers – focus – a health blog from Mass Eye and ear. FOCUS. (2019, August 21). Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://focus.masseyeandear.org/swimmers-ear-not-just-for-swimmers/
Jonathon M. Poe 