The first symptoms are a feeling that the ear is blocked, muffled hearing, and an itch. Later, the canal can become swollen and painful, and a watery discharge accumulates in the area. If the ear gets to the point of being tender to the touch, it’s time to get to a doctor.

PREVENTION

There are several ways to prevent swimmer’s ear from ever occurring. Here is a summary of preventive methods:

• Don’t swim in dirty water.
• Wear earplugs while swimming.
• After a swim, tilt and shake your head to allow the water to drain.
• Dry your ears with a clean cloth after showering and with a hair dryer set at low speed, held about 12" from your ear.
• Use one dropper of commercial eardrops, isopropyl alcohol, or white vinegar in your ear after swimming or showering. Wiggle your ear to let the solution get to the bottom, then let the fluid drain out. Drops should not be used by people with tubes in their ears or perforations in their eardrums.
• Some experts suggest that you use a dropper of mineral oil, baby oil, or lanolin to create a protective coating before you exercise. Get advice from a physician or trainer before using this method.
• If you wear a hearing aid, remove it frequently to allow your ear to dry.
• Avoid excessive cleaning that removes all of the protective wax naturally present in the ear canal.

DISCLAIMER AND EDITORIAL POLICY

Safety of all its members is a top priority for USA Swimming. The views and opinions published in Safety Quarterly are those of the authors and are not necessarily the opinions of USA Swimming or its members. USA Swimming cannot and does not accept responsibility for the content of any information or material not authored by the staff of USA Swimming.