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?
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
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
