I went swimming a few days ago and started noticing a popping sound in my ear the next day. I’m on my 3rd day afte the swim and the popping is getting worse and almost starting to hear things a little muffled from that ear. Although I did use alcohol drops after my swim, do you think I’m getting swimmer’s ear? If so, what can I do now to keep this potential infection from getting worse? Thanks!!
I went swimming a few days ago and started noticing a popping sound in my ear the next day. I’m on my 3rd day afte the swim and the popping is getting worse and almost starting to hear things a little muffled from that ear. Although I did use alcohol drops after my swim, do you think I’m getting swimmer’s ear? If so, what can I do now to keep this potential infection from getting worse? Thanks!!
Itching, redness, mild soreness/pain, clear drainage. If you don’t have those, you probably don’t have swimmers ear. (By the time it gets to popping, it’s generally pretty painful, red and pus is coming out).
My guess (if you don’t have symptoms) is that you just have water still up against the eardrum. Shake your head sideways, or cautiously use a q-tip to absorb some of the moisture.
John
“swimmers ear” is a bacterial infection in the middle to outer, or outer ear canal.
It is caused by an overly clean ear. Constant swimming in a chlorinated pool cleans the ear and removes the naturally produced protective wax inside the outer ear canal. This too-clean ear canal becomes susceptable to bacteria. A little squirt of baby oil or vaseline placed in the outer ear canal will assist in maintaining some protective wax in the ear. Try first some of the liquid alcohol or glycerin drying agents, if you have an infection these are either painful, don’t work, or both, as the swollen outer ear canal can be painful. Trapped water will eventually find it’s way out if given enough time. And, your doctor may have some good suggestions for either topical anti-bacterial creams, or drying agents. In any case, bad infections will force you out of the pool.
Before you go to bed pour a capful of hydrogen peroxide in your ear and let it soak in for a while. Then sleep with that ear facing down so you get a good drip dry.
50-50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water, after you swim. Drops in ear. Cheap. Effective. Have swum competitively for 22 yrs and rarely get ear infections due to said method.
Right now: cotton balls in ears under swim cap to prevent h20 (some of it) from getting in. Don’t use earplugs - using them over and over will keep them all germy. Cotton balls you can just throw away 
Do NOT stick anything on a q tip in your ear - DROPS - q tips BAD for ears!
Does your ear hurt to the touch? If so, it’s probably swimmer’s ear.
The muffled sound part is probably because the infection is causing your ear to swell shut. It may be a good idea to see a doctor to get antibiotic for it if it continues to swell.
I had a case of swimmer’s ear a few years back in which my middle ear completely swelled shut. Drops wouldn’t actually reach the inside of my ear on their own, it was swelled shut so bad. Had to get an “ear tampon” (little piece of paper rolled up very tight) to squeeze in there so that it would soak up the antibiotic and actually get it to the inside of my ear. Not a fun experience.