How to avoid an ear infection after swimming?
Kristian Schroeder
2025-05-26 13:39:30
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: 20
Keep ears as dry as possible. Use a bathing cap, ear plugs, or custom-fitted swim molds when swimming. Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. Tilt head back and forth so that each ear faces down to allow water to drain out of the ear canal. Use a towel to dry ears well. Pull earlobe in different directions when ear faces down to help water drain out. If water remains, you can use a hair dryer on the lowest heat and speed/fan setting. Hold the hair dryer several inches from ear. Check with your healthcare provider about using ear-drying drops after swimming. Don't use these drops if you have ear tubes, punctured ear drums, swimmer's ear, or ear drainage.
Shad Kertzmann
2025-05-26 13:33:37
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: 19
To avoid an ear infection after swimming, consider wearing a swimming cap or using ear plugs if you’re a regular swimmer – but make sure you insert ear plugs carefully and don’t use them if they irritate your ears. Do not insert cotton wool buds or other things into your ears, including your fingers, as this can damage the sensitive skin in your ear canal. Turn your head from side to side after getting out of water, this helps water drain from your ears. You should also try to avoid getting water, soap or shampoo into your ears when you have a shower or bath. Do not swim in polluted water. Keep your ears dry and clean. If earwax build-up is a problem, have it removed by a healthcare professional.
Alexie Beahan
2025-05-26 12:54:06
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: 16
Keep ears dry. After swimming or bathing, dry your ears by wiping the outer portion gently with a soft towel or cloth. Tip your head to the side to help water drain from the ear canal. You also can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting, holding it at least a foot away from the ear. Use a preventive treatment. A mixture of one-part white vinegar to one part rubbing alcohol can promote drying and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause swimmer's ear. Pour 1 teaspoon of the solution into each ear and let it drain back out. Additionally, consider wearing earplugs while swimming. Avoid putting foreign objects in the ear. Cotton swabs can pack material deeper into the ear canal, irritate the thin skin inside the ear or break the skin. Protect ears from irritants. Putting cotton balls in the ears while applying products such as hair sprays and hair dyes can reduce risk of bacteria getting into the ear canal.
Zander Kihn
2025-05-26 12:48:51
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: 17
Kids can wear a bathing cap or removable earplugs when they swim to help keep the ear canals dry.
They can tip their head from side to side after getting wet to let the water drain out and use a towel to dry the ears.
They can use a hair dryer on a low, cool setting, at least 12 inches away, to dry their ears.
If your child's ears still aren't drying out, talk to your doctor about using ear drops at the end of a swim.
These help dry up the water in the ears and prevent infection.
These drops should not be used in kids with ear tubes or a ruptured eardrum.
Kids shouldn't clean their ears with cotton swabs or put any other objects into them.
Ear wax is actually good and can protect against swimmer's ear.
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