As I type this today, if I were to talk with you, your voice would all be muffled in my right ear. I believe this is due to some water stuck in my ear. A couple of days ago I began experience the sensation of water in my ear, then after yesterdays am swim it became even more noticable. I have the sensation of water rolling around in my ear. I have never had this problem before in my 48 years. No matter what I cant seem to get it to drain. Anyone know of an effective treatment? thanks in advance.
Former Member
I always use a mixture of alcohol and white vinegar after I swim - my mom made me do this as a child. I just let it go into my ear with a cotton ball for a few seconds then turn my head back over. It works every time and the ingredients are pretty common. It does not smell very good but I usually do it before I shower and have never had a problem.
Go to your local drug store and get something like Auro Dry. It's 95% isopropyl alcohol, 5% glycerin (or some similar combination). Place 3 or 4 drops in one ear, slosh it around, turn your head to the other side so it can drain. Repeat for the other ear. Repeat the routine if necessary. Do this after every swim.
Skip Montanaro
Former Member
I use alcohol in my ears after every swim, right after I shower. If water is still rolling around, I use a hair dryer and that gets rid of it for me. Anything to avoid ear infections (ouch!).
Former Member
You may have excessive wax accumulation which can be removed by an ENT doctor (or perhaps your family physician). Do not try to do this yourself.
Former Member
I think it is Auro Dry & buy some sun screen, you get a rebate.
Former Member
Hi. This is my first post. I primarily read to learn, as I am a new swimmer working up to feeling ready to join the local Masters group. But swimmer's ear is something I know a little bit about! When I started swimming last summer (at 38!) I instantly got a raging case of swimmer's ear that was resistant to alcohol/glycerine drops, hair dryers and ultimately was only beaten into submission by antibiotic drops and banishment to dry land for 2 weeks. I found a device called the Sahara Dry Ear on Amazon and bought it. It is a little handheld widget that directs warm air into directly into the ear canal and vents the moisture out. It totally dries your ear in about 90 seconds. I feel like a super nerd, with my inhaler and my stuffy nose and my special ear dryer, but I haven't had any problems at all with swimmer's ear since. It is a bit spendy, but if it saves you from paying for doctor's visits when nothing else works, and from having to stay out of the pool for cumulative weeks, then it is worth the money in my book!
Willow
Former Member
Smontanaro and Gull have given good advice.
The Auro Dry will help remove the water from the ear immeaditly after swimming but will do nothing to cure an infection. I would continue using the Auro Dry for the weekend and if you are not better by Monday you should go to the doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. There are a myrid of possibilities and your doctor can figure out the problem quickly.
Former Member
From my own experience it doesn't sound like an infection; in any case, take your ears seriously as an ear infection can be VERY painful and keep you out of the pool! Water and humidity in your ear canals sets about the conditions for an infection. I suggest you see a doctor ASAP to chk out your ears like I didn't earlier this year :sad: ) . Good luck. Thomas
Former Member
Two months ago, my ENT doctor gave me this recipe:
equal parts rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl), distilled white vinegar and water
I mixed up 1/3 cup of each, filled a swim ear bottle and stored the rest. I use it before and after I swim. I have found that this works better than anything I have ever used. He (doctor) told me that isopropyl alone (which is what swim ear mostly contains) gets rid of the wax that helps protect the canal and ear drum.
Water in my ears has always been trouble for me, and over the last two years, about six sinus infections, a few requiring antibiotics and decadron shot. I don't know how sinus infections and swimmer's ear relate (seems to be a connection, at least to me).
Since I have been using this concoction, I have had zero problems - probably just jinxed myself!
This might work for you.
The ear drying machine (didn't know they existed)sounds interesting. I may look into that also.
Former Member
Turns out...ear infection...didnt need the wax removal stuff I bought (putting off that visit to the dr) if you like the feeling of bugs crawing around in your ear...try that removal stuff....I am now resolved (especially if I want to get in the water anytime soon) to wear ear plugs for the first time in my nearly 48 y(ears)...bought some of the pliable plugs from speedo..roll it up into a ball and insert....anyone have any different ideas, kinds? experience with it? thanks in advance. .................. oh..... I think I am going to try that dryer when I get healed up... hopefully I can swim plug free sometime in the future.
