Swimming is a fantastic way to stay active and on top of your physical health. The Olympic swimming may have inspired you to take up a new hobby and improve your swimming skills. However, this hobby can lead to a very painful condition, often called swimmer’s ear.
Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the outer ear canal, which can make your hearing feel muffled. It’s usually caused by water that remains in your ear canal and aids the growth of bacteria. This bacterium leads to an infection and often a lot of pain for the sufferer.
Some people say swimmer’s ear feels like a bubble in your ear, and they use their fingers or cotton swabs to ‘pop’ it. Probing the ear can damage the thin layer of skin lining your ear canal and prompt an infection. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of swimmer’s ear if you are taking part in the sport frequently. Seek the advice of a hearing specialist or healthcare professional if you start to experience pain or pressure in your ear.
Mild swimmer’s ear also referred to as otitis externa, can feel itchy, uncomfortable and cause a little redness in the ear. As the infection worsens, the pain, fluid drainage and redness will increase, and your ear will start to feel full. The swelling and fluid of the infection can make your ear canal feel partially full and diminish your hearing. The pain may radiate to your face, and the side of your head as the ear becomes completely blocked.
Fortunately, if you treat swimmer’s ear quickly, you are less likely to experience these complications. Your outer ear canals also have natural defences, such as glands that produce a water-repellent film on the skin and discourage bacteria growth. There is also cartilage that covers some of the ear canal and stops foreign bodies from entering.
Infection can occur when these natural defences are overwhelmed and not as effective in preventing bacterial growth. Excess moisture in your ear from humid weather or heavy perspiration can create a bacteria-friendly environment. Your fingernails, cotton swabs or earbuds can cause abrasions and scratches in the ear. You do not need to clean your ear canal with such items as ear wax will naturally fall out on its own.
The best way to avoid swimmer’s ear is to keep your ears dry after swimming. Dry your outer ear by wiping it slowly with a cloth and tip your head to the side to help the water drain out. You can also use preventative ear drops before and after swimming to stop bacteria from developing inside the canal.
Seek treatment quickly if you start to experience the symptoms of swimmer’s ear.