Swimmer's ear or Otitis Externa is a condition when the ear is infected and gets an inflammatory feeling. It is caused due to excessive exposure to water, and leads to fungus or bacteria. As suggested by the name of the problem, the people most likely to suffer from it are swimmers, and those involved in water activities. Their skin becomes soft around the ears leading to wrinkles on it. The extra soft skin could then break and create room for infections to enter. If there happens to be any cut or any room for penetration in the skin, the harmful bacteria in the water could then enter and create havoc.
This problem can happen to both men and women, and causes great pain and discomfort. One experiences formation of earwax, loss of hearing, pain or swelling in the ear amongst other things.
There are, however, many effective home remedies for swimmer's ears to gain relief from the itching and pain in the ears.
White vinegar is a trusted home remedy for swimmer's ears. A little white vinegar is poured in the ear canal and left still for a while, after which the swimmer turns around his head and empties the ear canal. The same is then done with the other ear. The process can be repeated for 2-3 times over a period of 2-3 days to get relief from pain.
Lukewarm baby oil can also be poured in the ear and with an ear dropper, and a cotton ball can be kept to prevent the oil from falling. The warm oil clears the ears, and relieves the pain.
Hydrogen peroxide too can be very effective in cleaning the infected ears. Vinegar, water and peroxide can be mixed in equal proportions. This solution can then be put in the ears by way of and ear dropper. A cotton ball is kept to cover the ear for some time, and then the solution is drained out.
Garlic has many antibacterial properties. Pouring garlic oil in the ear is an important home remedy for swimmer's ear. It can be bought from the market, or prepared at home.
A hair dryer can be used very carefully to evaporate water from ear. This must be done very carefully to avoid hair getting entangled in the dryer and to avoid burns in the ear.
Resting one's ear against a heating pad with a towel in between gives immense relief. Earplugs made of wax or silicon should be used while swimming to avoid water from entering the ear canals.
Another one, out of economical home remedies for swimmer's ears would be cleansing one's ear with a saline solution.
Swimmers must take care not to jump into unclean water as it could contain bacteria. Even in healthy conditions, care must be taken to wear a swimmer's cap to avoid water from entering into the ear canal. Also, swimmers are advised not to poke into or scratch their ears. Moreover, any kind of infection, mild or severe, should not be treated lightly. Doing this could lead to grave consequences like losing one's auditory senses permanently.
Read more Home Remedies for Swimmers Ear. Also know useful Home Remedies for Nail Fungus.
