Help For Swimmers Ear

Is swimming part of your regular exercise regimine? Do you spend countless hours in a pool or take a shower each day after long runs? These situations can result in water clogged ears, which if not dried out, can lead to a condition called swimmers ear,

Swimmers ear is an infection of the outer ear structures. The ear canal is often affected too. Symptoms include:

*moderate to severe pain
*bacterial growth
*decreased hearing
*fever
*drainage
*a sensation that the ears are blocked
*swollen lymph glands

If you get a case of swimmers ear you may need to see a physician depending on it's severity. If you have a fever, your lymph glands are swollen and the pain is great see your doctor. He/she will give special antibiotic drops or straight antibiotics. If you have a mild case of swimmers ear you need to keep it dry and use something to kill the bacteria. Boric acid and acetic acid kill bacteria well. Rubbing alcholol is also a good antibiotic and drying agent. Regardless of whether your case of swimmers ear is mild or severe you need to keep your ears out of the water for a few days.

Preventive measures such as wearing earplugs while in the water and having professional cleanings can be helpful in discouraging a buildup up of water in the ear. A home made mixture of 50% rubbing alchohol and 50% vinegar does an excellent job of drying the ears out and killing the bacteria. Boric acid and acetic acid also kill bacteria but don't dry up the moisture as good as the rubbing alchohol mixture.

Keeping your ears dry and bacteria free should be a priority every time you swim or shower. With reasonable care you should be able to avoid the painful swimmers ear syndrome. Of course, if you experience fever, pain or pressure in the ear consult a physician immediately- your hearing is to important to take chances.
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Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and the President of The International Fitness Academy. For more health, safety and fitness issues go to http://www.aerobic-exercise-coach.com