How To Prevent and Treat Swimmer's Ear Infection

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Swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, is a condition wherein the outer ear and skin of the ear canal become infected. Swimmer's ear is unlike otitis media, or an inner ear infection which often manifests at the same time as other symptoms such as a runny nose or congestion. After bathing or swimming, individuals are at risk of contracting swimmer's ear if water remains trapped inside the ear canal. In the midst of a swimming session, water reaches the outer ear area and leaves a resulting infection.

Swimmer's ear is not contagious. It is like any other infection that you may get elsewhere on the body from a cut or bite. To protect yourself from otitis externa, you can concoct your own generic elixir with vinegar and alcohol, or you can purchase the same thing at your local pharmacy. Following swimming, you should put five to ten drops in each ear, before allowing the drops to drain out, allow them to sit in the ear for several minutes.

The alcohol portion of the treatment immediately removes moisture, and the vinegar destroys any harmful toxins. These options will not treat infections that are already present, but they can certainly help to prevent one from being triggered to begin with. There are some other methods you can use to prevent swimmer's ear such as making sure you completely dry your ears if water gets inside, avoid submersing yourself in polluted water and do not put any objects, including cotton swabs, in your ears.

Swimmer's ear is indicated by an itching in the ear canal or on the outside area of the ear, by pain when the little flap which covers the ear canal is depressed, or by facial pain in front of the ear when the ear is gently pulled upwards and backwards. Discomfort in just one ear can also indicate that you have swimmer's ear.

The opening of the ear may also secrete a discharge which is a yellow-green color. It's important to visit your child's physician if your child is exhibiting symptoms of swimmer's ear, and even more so if you have noticed any discharge. If you do not treat swimmer's ear, the infection could get into the cartilage or bone that is around the ear canal. The use of over the counter painkillers will bring some relief, and the prudent use of heat is also beneficial.

Antibiotic-steroid drops may be prescribed by your physician should the ear canal become swollen because of infection. These drops function by killing the bacteria with the antibiotic and reducing inflammation with the steroids. With particularly severe cases of swimmer's ear, a wick (comprised of a sponge or a bit of cotton) may be utilized by your doctor to help the medicated ear drops to fully treat all parts of the ear canal. You will probably have to take the drops for between 5 and 10 days, and you must not swim or otherwise introduce water into the ear during this time.

Make sure to see your physician once you've completed the treatment regimen, and be sure to contact the doctor right away if the secretion does not stop, you get a fever, you become dizzy, the discomfort in your ear does not end after 2 days, or you get a sore neck.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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