Otitis externa is another term for swimmers ear. It is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal and the external ear. Usually, swimmers ear is a result of excess exposure to water. At the time that the ear gets drenched with water, the moisture has the ability to penetrate the layer that is normally water resistant and at that time, the skin becomes wrinkled and soft. On the surface of this water exposed skin, fungi and bacteria are able to live without really causing any harmful effects. However, in any case that there is a break in the normal barrier of the skin, the bacteria from the contaminated water or the objects that are placed inside of the ear, can easily slide right into the skin which results in swimmers ear.

Symptoms of Swimmers Ear

So, what symptoms and signs do you need to look for when there is ear pain due to having swimmers ear? Below, you will find a compilation of the wide variety of symptoms and signs that could reflect that the pain you feel in your ear is swimmers ear. When you have a painful or itchy ear, a decrease in your hearing, sensitivity to your ear moving, earwax that is white and soft, milky or yellow discharge from your ear, a sharp or sudden pain in your ear, heaviness or stuffy feeling of the ear, noise felt within the hear or your outer ear appears scaly and sore, you may have swimmers ear.

Home Remedies for Swimmers Ear

In this paragraph, you will find the most trusted home remedies for swimmers ear. One of the first swimmers ear home remedies that we are going to discuss is vinegar. If you have a mild case of swimmers ear, you can treat it by adding a couple of drops of white vinegar into both of your ears. All you have to do is add a couple of drops to one ear and let it remain in the ear canal for approximately five minutes before you turn to the other ear and do the same exact thing. Make sure that you drain the solution from the ear each time that you perform this process.

Swimmers ear remedy - If you are going to be using this home remedy, you need to complete this process two times a day for a period of three days. It has been known to be most effective against a bacterial or fungal infection because acetic acid actually inhibits the overall growth of the bacteria. Apple cider vinegar is also among the best natural remedy for swimmers ear. At the time that water clogs the ears, you need to put three to four drops of apple cider vinegar that is diluted into equal parts with alcohol or water into your ear after you are finished showering or swimming. This will help to prevent having any future infections.

Among the best swimmers ear cure, you will also find baby oil. All you have to do is take the baby oil and heat it and as time passes and it warms, you begin pouring it into your ears with an ear dropper and then you place a cotton ball in your ear so that the oil doesn’t drain. One of the weirdest swimmers ear treatment would have to be using a hairdryer to evaporate all of the water molecules from your ear. All you have to do is set the hairdryer to warm and glide it across the ear as it begins to dry your ear. The warm air coming from the hairdryer will evaporate all of the water that is trapped in your ear.

Out of all the home remedy for swimmers ear that are used, this is truly the weirdest one but it works. That is one thing that you are going to have to always remember with home remedies, even though it may sound weird, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work.

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Comments

I use rubbing alcohol. all you need to do is get a cotton swap and dip it in the rubbing alcohol, then swab your outer ear canal ( it evaporates ) the water . It works for me most of the time. Another treatment is blowing a hair dryer over your ear to evaporate the water.

#1 - Duffey Mills - 06/17/2009 - 13:55

My ears smell like a budget Call Girls inner labia. I think my ear needs CANESTEN...

#2 - Ray McLean -Used Car Salesman - 02/03/2010 - 09:17

I had this and the pain was the worst I've ever felt. Lots of Ibuprofen helped at first, but I had to go to the doctor. He gave me some antibiotic drops. He told me to put 3 drops in my ear and leave them in for about five minutes 2 to 3 times a day. It didn't really do much the first day and I was still in a lot of pain. I decided enough was enough. The next day I took a lot of ibuprofen to make sure the swelling went down and I put 6 drops in my ear and left them in there for about 30 minutes. The pain didn't magically go away, but I was able to sleep the whole night, and one day later, no more pain. My ear is still congested but no more pain. To me, that's all that matters right now.

#3 - Chuck - 02/28/2010 - 22:47

This is the second time i got swimmer's ear. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemie. It is sooo painful. I would rather go back thru labor twice again. With that being said i read about the home remedie for white vinegar put in your ear. Whatever you do DONT PUT VINEGAR IN YOUR EAR!! It will burn like an s.o.b. i tried this and it sent me thru the roof almost. i was in tears from it. i tried the hair dryer and there is still pain. i will be going to the dr after work today.. if i don't die from the pain.

#4 - danielle - 08/15/2010 - 03:10

Hello, all! I am going to try the 50:50 apple cider vinegar : water treatment, I will keep you posted.
Currently:
My Left ear is throbbing with pain and my right ear feels bogged with water, on attempt to clean it I found GREEN ear wax (a definite sign of infection) See you all in 3 days. I will start with my left ear!

#5 - Shani - 08/21/2010 - 19:47

hey, i tried the vinegar on my wifes ear and she went crazy and started to cry and the pain got really worst. She said it burned like fire from HELL! Then i tried to use the hair dryer to make the pain settle down a little and it worked but the pain and swelling is still there.DON'T DO THE VINEGAR THING IT DOESN'T WORK!!!!! GO TO HOSPITAL AND PAY.

#6 - dave - 08/22/2010 - 00:26

Hey Guys!... I know I said I would be back in 3 days, but I would really like to clarify a few things:
1. I am using APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND WATER! What this means is that if I am using 1/2 cup of water, I will use 1/2 cup of apple cider!

2. On my first day of trial I have experienced NO PAIN WHATSOEVER, not even tingling. in fact, my otitis externa (outer ear infection) is decreasing. - How do I know, the pain is subsiding.

3. I am also using the blow-dryer method, please remember to put it on med-low heat... that is not a joke! You will burn your ear off!!

4. I have had swimmers ear before, and I was placed on strong anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics for 7 days, this was 2 weeks ago. Now, I don't know about you guys, but I can't keep going back to the doctor every time I have an infection... I do not want to build up tolerance to any antibiotics, because I have been swimming a lot.

5. I would like to emphasis, I am not doing this because of money, I live where healthcare is free. I just want to reduce my chances of antibiotic resistance.

I will see you all in 2 more days!

#7 - Shani - 08/22/2010 - 11:09

Okay! I am back as promised and it has been 3 days, I gave the vinegar treatment a try and I added in the blow-dryer to dry the ear canal out. AND... I worked! My swimmers ear is almost gone, YES, I said almost... there is still a slight tenderness to touch. But other than that I am fine. :) I do recommend this treatment (see the above boxes for what exactly I did) I just followed the instructions from the website.
Remember everyone is physiologically different, so if it is not working for you by day 2 try adding 2 tbsps of rubbing alcohol... the key is to dry the canal out completely rendering you ear an unsuitable environment for the bacteria to proliferate.

GOOD LUCK.

#8 - Shani - 08/25/2010 - 05:29

after all these treatments, ear wax candles are a good idea..

#9 - traci - 08/25/2010 - 21:00

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