How to avoid earaches when you spend time in the pool this summer
Are planning on spending time in the pool this summer? If so, make sure that you take precautions against getting swimmer's ear. Earaches from the pool can be uncomfortably unpleasant and can last for long periods at a time. Earaches most commonly result from a biological factor that quite simply things grow well in a warm moist area. The inner ear canal is full of moisture, especially during the hot summer months from swimming in the pool. If it isn't dried out well, the moisture remains and bacteria and fungus can find a place to live. And although it is children that are commonly getting the ear infections during the swimming season, adults are actually more susceptible to infection.
Adults have a narrower ear canal making it easier for moisture to stay put once it gets in. There is however some things you can do to help prevent such things from happening. Here are some suggestions on how to avoid earaches when you spend time in the pool this summer.
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If you've been swimming all day long and are ready to call it a night make sure you clean your ears out thoroughly. Toweling off isn't enough when it comes to swimmer's ear. You might have to actually use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to get all the water and moisture out.
- Using alcohol based eardrops can also help dry out the ear canal. This can help if you have tubes in your ears or a hole in the eardrum. You can also make your own medicine at home using a little alcohol, peroxide and glycerin. The glycerin makes the concoction a little more soothing to sensitive ears.
- Try using some ear plugs to put into your ears before entering the swimming pool. They may feel uncomfortable at first but once you have them in for a bit you will get use to them. Ear plugs are especially important for those that have had a history or ear infections, perforated eardrums, or tubes in their ears. Adults can use them easily but they can sometimes be tricky with small children as they don't like to have things in their ears.
- Don't ever insert a foreign object into your ears to try and get rid of the water and moisture. You can actually make it worse and cause more of an infection if you put something else in your ear.
While understanding how to avoid earaches from spending time in the pool this summer, it may still happen so it's important to know what the symptoms are. Here are some possible symptoms of swimmer's ear.
Symptoms of swimmer's ear
- Drainage from inside of the ear
- Fever
- A decrease in hearing
- A feeling that the ear is blocked or full
- The outer ear may appear to be pushing away from the skull
- Pain may be felt in your face, neck, or the side of your head
- Swollen lymph nodes
Of course the best way on how to avoid earaches when you spend time in the pool this summer is to take preventative measures and hope for the best.
