I did long distance triathlons from about 2001-2007 and never had any issues with my ears. I stopped swimming and biking when we enterred babyland, but started swimming again this December. On December 15th, my doctor told me I had an ear infection and gave me antibiodicts. I did a ten day course but went back yesterday and he told me I have swimmer’s ear and prescribed me drops.
Can I swim while I’m doing the drops?
What is the best way to avoid swimmer’s ear in the future, plugs, rubbing alcohol afterwards?
What is the best way to avoid swimmer’s ear in the future, plugs, rubbing alcohol afterwards?
thanks,
Thoroughly dry ears after swimming – use blow-dryer and *gently, glancingly *wave warm air into ears, etc. Vinegar/alcohol drops also good for eliminating infection.
Ear plugs. Completely eliminated my issue. I don;t even both with dry ears, as if the water never gets deep in the canal, the problem is prevented.
As a bonus, it mutes the sound of screaming kids during open swim. I’m still able to hear people OK most of the time and it’s easy to roll up the swim cap and take one out real quick.
I have a small dropper bottle of rubbing alcohol that I keep in my swim bag. I drop a few into my ears as I’m getting dressed after the swim. I let it sit in there for a few moments and then do the other side. It only adds 30s to my routine and has kept me swimmer’s ear and ear infection free for years now.
You can buy specific swimmer’s ear dropper bottles at any drug store. If you look at the ingredients, it’s just rubbing alcohol and glycerin. I bought one mostly for the bottle. I’ve refilled it with just rubbing alcohol multiple times since buying the one bottle years ago.
Ear plugs. Completely eliminated my issue. I don;t even both with dry ears, as if the water never gets deep in the canal, the problem is prevented.
As a bonus, it mutes the sound of screaming kids during open swim. I’m still able to hear people OK most of the time and it’s easy to roll up the swim cap and take one out real quick.
this is what i have been trying lately with success!
Ear plugs. Completely eliminated my issue. I don;t even both with dry ears, as if the water never gets deep in the canal, the problem is prevented.
As a bonus, it mutes the sound of screaming kids during open swim. I’m still able to hear people OK most of the time and it’s easy to roll up the swim cap and take one out real quick.
Agree on all accounts!! Get custom plugs made. But dry the plugs after use so they don’t get mildew.
I used to get pretty severe ear infections until my doctor suggested I take a tissue and gently dry each ear using my pinky finger after every swim/shower. Haven’t had an ear infection since, and it’s been 20 years now.
+1 earplugs
+1 rubbing alcohol drops
-1 vinegar (too corrosive over the long term; also alcohol anyway is better at killing germs. Vinegar might loosen wax, but then you have other problems.)
-1 antibiotics; usually a placebo effect, rarely useful, but doctors still prescribe them because they have so little to fight an ear infection.
You can also use a rubber bulb syringe for gently blowing water out of the ear canal–I’ve had some success with this.
There’s a handheld ear canal air dryer you can buy somewhere. I haven’t gone that extreme yet but it seems like it would be useful.
Favorite earplug: mack’s aquablock earplugs.
Take care of your ears, an ear infection took much of my father’s hearing, and left him with tinnitus. The infection ate away at his auditory nerve hair folicles. Once those fragile hairs inside the ear are damaged there is no repair.
The glycerin is meant to help avoid over drying from the alcohol. Dry ears can be just and annoying as swimmer’s ear/infection. I just use the Swimmer’s Ear type product after each swim and have had no problems since. You can get the store brand generic for much cheaper. I went through about 15 sets of plugs - while they did help, they were a bit of a nuisance and more hassle than a few drops after each swim.
I would suggest not swimming until the diagnosed swimmer’s ear is resolved. When resolved custom swim molds would be best, but please keep in mind that although an earmold impression is taken to ensure a proper fit, these molds will not guarantee an air tight/water tight seal. Find an audiologist in your area to take an earmold impression. The Macks pro plugs are good for some but not for all. Really depends on the shape of your outer ear and ear canal.
The above mentioned methods of keeping the ear canal dry and/or preventing recurrence have proven useful for most people, but do not over do it. “well if two drops are good then six will be better” isn’t always best. Being vigilant about keeping the ear as dry as possible(realizing that some water will enter the outer ear during swimming) is the best approach. Wearing molds and drying the ear canal after will be the best prevention of future outer ear infections once this diagnosed case of swimmer’s ear is resolved.
Let this heal, otitis externa can be a pain in the ass to heal.
Take care of your ears, an ear infection took much of my father’s hearing, and left him with tinnitus. The infection ate away at his auditory nerve hair folicles. Once those fragile hairs inside the ear are damaged there is no repair.
+1, I’m missing average 95 dB loss in my left ear and 65 dB in my right because of chronic ear infections.
I have a small dropper bottle of rubbing alcohol that I keep in my swim bag. I drop a few into my ears as I’m getting dressed after the swim. I let it sit in there for a few moments and then do the other side. It only adds 30s to my routine and has kept me swimmer’s ear and ear infection free for years now.
Had swimmers ear in the 3rd grade. Have done this ever since. No issues since then.