Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear: how to prevent and treat the disease

For those who love to swim in rivers, seas and swimming pools, the problem of swimmer's ear is nothing new. But for those unfamiliar with the problem, swimmer's ear can be an unpleasant surprise. Swimmer's ear is a condition that occurs when water enters the ear, disrupting acidity and lubrication, which can lead to bacterial growth and infection.

Signs of swimmer's ear may include pain when moving the earlobe or pinna, pain or discomfort around the ear, itching of the outer ear, swelling of the ear or cervical lymph nodes, a feeling of fullness in the ear, pus leaking from the ear, and decreased hearing. Swimmer's ear can occur due to persistent moisture in the ear, infection from contaminated water, trauma to the ear, or getting hair spray or dye in the ears.

How to prevent swimmer's ear? Keep your ears dry, and after bathing, always wipe only the outer part of the ear and very carefully. Avoid swimming in dirty water and use earplugs or earplugs. Also, don't forget about ear drops, such as a mixture of one part vinegar and one part alcohol, which prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria in the ears. Of course, you should not place foreign objects in your ears.

If you do encounter the problem of swimmer's ear, how to treat it? It depends on how deep the water got into the ear. If there is water in the external ear canal, you can try hopping on one leg with your head bowed or lying on your side with the ear with the water down and do a few swallowing movements or try to move your ears. You can also insert a thin piece of cotton wool into your ear to allow the water to be absorbed and released.

If water gets into the middle ear, it is necessary to ease the symptoms by swallowing more often, and at night place a cotton swab soaked in a warm solution of boric alcohol in the ear, not forgetting about ear drops. Wrap a warm scarf around your ear. If you experience severe pain, see your doctor as this may be a sign of ear infection.

In conclusion, swimmer's ear is a serious problem that needs to be prevented and treated. Follow simple precautions to avoid this disease, and if it occurs, do not hesitate to seek help from your doctor. Remember that ear health is an important aspect of overall health and should not be neglected.