I stopped swimming a few years ago because of ear problems, but want to start again. Before stopping, I was told (by various ear doctors and other swimmers) to try putting such things as olive oil in my ears before a swim, or vinegar or hydrogen peroxide in my ears afterwards. None of those things worked. In college, some friends of mine used a few drops of alcohol after swims, but a doctor told me that this really dries out the skin. I tried plugs, but they either irritated my ears or pushed the wax deeper into my ear, compacting it. HELP! I've gotta get back in the water, but don't want the ear problems.... Any ideas or advice? Any ear docs who swim out there?
Former Member
Have you tried wearing a tight fitting cap and making sure it goes over your ears?
I used to get ear infections when I swam without a cap. At the suggestion of a doctor I started wearing a silicone cap and making sure majority of ear was covered.
Also they make something called "swim bands"? I belive these fit around your head like a headband but cover just the ears. Even kids with tubes can use these.
Originally posted by badkid
... I tried plugs, but they either irritated my ears or pushed the wax deeper into my ear, compacting it. HELP! I've gotta get back in the water, but don't want the ear problems.... Any ideas or advice? Any ear docs who swim out there?
Hey Badkid!
I tried several kinds of plugs, too. You might try the plugs made out of silicone which seems to hold their shape better, thus not as prone to lodging themselves into the ear canal. However, the use of Auro-Dri or the homemade version is what's really important. The alcohol dries out the water in the inner ear where the earaches occur and sterilizes the area. Be sure to do this right after getting out of the pool. Now that I do this religiously, I really rarely use plugs unless I suspect another earache. Nothing's worse than one than having two at the same time.
Try a 40% rubbing alcohol/ 60% white vinegar mixture. Allow it to sit in the ear for a minute and then take it out with a Q-Tip. Then put a drop of OLIVE oil in each ear.
I use Auro-Dri. When it gets too bad I workout just kickboard and use a heating pad. Its not been that bad in a while and I swim more hours than I use too.
Hey there,
I seem to get ear infections nearly every year, especially in the Spring. I mentioned this to my doctor, and they prescribed a medicine to use regularly that is supposed to change the ph in my ear, making it more difficult for the infections to form.
Along with the other posts, the idea of drying out your ear after practices is important too. There's usually a hair dryer in the lockerroom, and I put my ears under it. It may look strange, but if it works, then do it.
There are also some 'Swimmers ear' preventative medicines that you can buy over the counter. I think they are just a mixture of alchol and water to some degree, and also help dry out the ear.
I'd talk to your doctor, see if they have any thoughts, and combine what they say with the other ideas on this post.
Once you have the ear infection though, the only way to get rid of it, that works for me at least, is the antibiotic and prescription drops.
Hope this helps.
Tim Murphy
Sun Devil Masters
