Cures for Swimmers Ear Pain

Swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear. It is often caused by swimming or overexposure to water. When the ear canal repeatedly gets wet, the tissue and lining of the canal that protects the ear from bacteria begin to break down. The bacteria then get into the ear and cause pain and/or swelling. The pain associated with swimmer's ear may sometimes become severe, especially if left untreated.

Cleaning the Ear

• While there are certain home remedies to treat swimmer's ear pain, such as using a hair dryer on warm to remove moisture from the ear or cleaning the ear with boric acid and ethyl alcohol, swimmer's ear typically should be treated by a doctor. At your doctor's appointment, your doctor may begin by cleaning the ear using an ear curette or a special suction device. Cleaning any lingering dirt in the ear may be necessary to remove obstructions that would block medicine from entering the ear canal where the swimmer's ear infection is. It can also help relieve pain in the ear.

Medication

• Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage pain associated with swimmer's ear, but these medications won't cure the infection itself. Your doctor can prescribe drugs that will help cure the infection and restore the health of the ear, more permanently curing swimmer's ear pain. Commonly prescribed drugs include anti-fungal medication, steroid treatment, antibiotics and an acidic solution designed to restore the pH of the ear. These medications are usually topical, and come in ear drop form.

Other Treatments

• You will want to avoid getting water in your ear, which can exacerbate the pain associated with swimmer's ear. Use a cotton ball coated in petroleum jelly as an ear plug when you bathe or are near water. Avoid swimming, which can make swimmer's ear worse. Finally, refrain from flying on an airplane until you have cleared up the infection, because flying makes swimmer's ear pain much worse.