5 Effective Home Remedies for Swimmer's Ear

The perfect summer day for many includes swimming, sunshine, and water fun at the pool or beach. But add a painful ear infection to the mix, and the enjoyment quickly fades. That’s what could happen if swimmer's ear strikes, unless you’re aware of the home remedies that can help prevent it.

Swimmer's ear refers to an infection in the outer ear canal, often caused by bacteria, though sometimes by fungi. Frequent exposure to water, particularly when swimming regularly, can wash away the ear's natural protective waxy coating. Additionally, water left in the ear canal after swimming creates a warm, moist environment, perfect for bacterial growth.

While swimmer's ear is typically linked to swimming and the summer months, it can also happen from water entering the ear during a shower. Even without water, inserting objects like cotton swabs, keys, or fingernails into the ear can scratch the ear canal, leading to potential infection.

Regardless of the cause, swimmer's ear often first presents itself with an itching or tingling sensation in the ear. It's important to resist the temptation to scratch, as doing so will only aggravate the issue.

These initial signs are typically followed by mild to severe discomfort in the outer ear. A simple way to differentiate swimmer's ear from an infection in the middle or inner ear is to gently pull on the earlobe, wiggle it, and move it back and forth. If this causes pain, you're likely dealing with an outer ear infection, or swimmer's ear.

In more severe instances, pain is often accompanied by ear discharge and even temporary hearing loss due to swelling in the ear canal. If the symptoms go beyond a mild, temporary condition, you should consult a doctor immediately.

To avoid experiencing these symptoms, explore the following home remedies to learn how you can prevent swimmer's ear.

Be cautious of where you swim. Avoid jumping into pools, lakes, ponds, oceans, or any water sources that may not be clean. Contaminated water harbors more bacteria.

Drain the water out. A key to preventing swimmer's ear is to avoid letting water linger in the ear. If you feel or hear water sloshing around in your ear after a swim or shower, try tilting your head to the side of the affected ear and shaking your head to expel the water.

Apply a few drops. Over-the-counter antiseptic eardrops, like Aqua Ear, Ear Magic, or Swim Ear, can be helpful in preventing or soothing swimmer's ear, especially for frequent swimmers who are already familiar with its symptoms.

As recommended by the Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, if you have a healthy eardrum and your doctor approves, you can also create a homemade antiseptic solution: Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar in a clean bottle or container, then use a dropper to place a few drops in each ear after swimming or bathing. The vinegar works to kill bacteria and fungi, while the alcohol helps absorb water and may also help combat bacteria and fungi. (A dropper bottle can be purchased at any pharmacy.)

Similarly, some regular swimmers place a few drops of rubbing alcohol or a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and clean water in each ear after swimming to keep their ears dry and free from infection.

Protect your head. While a swim cap might not provide much protection for a competitive swimmer who is always submerged, it can be effective for casual swimmers or those doing water exercises to keep water out of the ears. Be sure to choose a cap that fits snugly over the ears.

Keep your hands out of your ears. Poking, swabbing, or scratching the inside of your ears can worsen a mild case of swimmer's ear or even promote an infection. Earwax acts as an antibacterial agent, forming a natural barrier that helps protect against moisture and minor irritation. Don't make it your mission to remove all the wax from your ears. And remember: never put anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow. (If you’re worried that excess wax is affecting your hearing, visit an ear doctor who can assess the situation and safely remove any buildup if needed.)

For more detailed information on swimmer's ear and how to manage it, check out the following links:

David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is a university professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University’s College of Medicine. He also teaches in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford serves on the editorial boards of several journals, such as *Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine* and *Explore*.

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