How do you treat recurring swimmer's ear?
Baron Lynch
2025-06-04 04:56:26
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: 18
Treatment options include antibiotics, anti-fungal preparations and keeping the infected ear dry.
Ramon Grady
2025-05-26 21:32:13
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: 20
To treat recurring swimmer's ear, you may be prescribed eardrops or spray, which usually have a combination of an antibiotic to treat any infection, and a steroid to reduce the inflammation and itching. The treatment usually lasts for 7 to 10 days. You should follow the prescribed course. You may also need painkillers, which you can buy from a pharmacy or shop. If the condition does not improve, your healthcare professional may take a swab to make sure that the most appropriate antibiotics are used to treat the infection. If you accidentally get water in your ears, speak to your local pharmacist about treatments to reduce the chance of a recurring infection. If you frequently get otitis externa, it may be helpful to visit an audiologist, who can take an impression of your outer ear for swimming plugs, creating a seal against water getting into your ear. You can ask your GP or practice nurse to refer you to an audiologist or an ENT specialist if the otitis externa does not settle after treatment.
Annamae Sawayn
2025-05-26 21:18:37
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The goal of treatment is to stop the infection and let the ear canal heal.
Cleaning the outer ear canal helps ear drops get to all infected areas.
A healthcare professional will use a suction device or ear curet to clean away discharge, clumps of earwax, flaky skin and other debris.
Most often, ear drops that have a mix of the following can treat the infection:
An acidic solution to help restore the ear's natural defenses.
A steroid to reduce swelling and irritation, called inflammation.
An antibiotic to fight bacteria.
An antifungal medicine to fight infection caused by a fungus.
Ask your healthcare professional about the best way to put in ear drops.
Warm the drops by holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes.
If possible, have someone help you put the drops in your ear.
Lie on your side with your infected ear up for a few minutes after you put in the drops.
During treatment, keep your ears dry to help them heal.
Don't swim or go scuba diving.
Don't wear an earplug, a hearing aid or earbuds until pain and discharge stop.
Don't get water in your ear canal when showering or bathing.
Use a cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly to protect your ear during a shower or bath.
If the infection doesn't get better with treatment, your healthcare professional might take a sample of discharge or debris from your ear and send it to a lab.
That's to look for what's causing the infection.
If the infection is more advanced or ear drops don't clear it up, your healthcare professional might prescribe antibiotics that you take by mouth.
Pain relievers that you can get without a prescription might ease the discomfort of swimmer's ear.
These include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and acetaminophen.
Sanford Bergnaum
2025-05-26 21:05:52
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: 13
If you notice ear pain or itchiness after being in the water, let your healthcare provider know. They can prescribe ear drops that can get rid of your symptoms in about a week. Swimmer’s ear usually isn’t serious if you treat it early.
Miguel Rolfson
2025-05-26 19:14:52
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: 10
Swimmer's ear can be treated with antibiotic ear drops.
Check with your healthcare provider if you have ear pain or drainage from the ear.
Don't use ear-drying drops if you have ear tubes, punctured ear drums, swimmer's ear, or ear drainage.
Check with your healthcare provider about using ear-drying drops after swimming.
Read also
- How to avoid an ear infection after swimming?
- Why does my child keep getting ear infections after swimming?
- What to put in kids
- How long does it take to get an ear infection after swimming?
- Do ear plugs help prevent ear infections?
- How do you protect children's ears when swimming?
- Should I put cotton wool in my ear for an ear infection?
- What to do if a kid gets water in his ears?
- What do swimmers put in their ears?