There are plenty of hazards out there that could hamper your ability to enjoy the summer. Sunburn is the big one that we all think to prepare for every outing. You might forget to reapply sunscreen regularly, but most of the time you’ll remember it. Various bugs and plants are another potential set of issues that anyone fond of using the summer for hiking and others outdoor activities need to remember. There are easy enough to prepare for as well. Not everyone thinks to ensure they’re prepared for swimmer’s ear though. After all, what is going to happen in the pool in your backyard? Any injuries are a phone call away from being dealt with and beyond that it is perfectly isolated. Unfortunately, nature doesn’t always agree and you end up with swimmer’s ear: a bacterial or fungal infection of the other ear. In this article, we’ll be looking at preventive measures and treatment options of those annoying summer issue.

Being Prepared
It is important to note that your ear generally has all the defenses it needs to prevent swimmer’s ear from happening regularly. Ear wax and the structure of the ear help to protect and drain it regularly. Sometimes things are a little too much for your ears though. Different factors can make the natural defenses unable to cope. Consequently, a good point to note is to be gentle with the inside of your ears. Don’t be too zealous when using a cotton swab to clean it out or you may damage the skin and provide a nice place for bacteria to form. Additionally, make sure to completely clean out your ears after swimming to help prevent moisture from being trapped within it. A good set of earplugs can help prevent these issues and protect your ear if the outer ear is damaged.

Careful Cleaning
Once swimmer’s ear sets in it becomes a combination treatment. The first part is typically the most painful, but there really is no getting away from it. You or your doctor need to clean your ear thoroughly to ensure there are no blockages. It is easy for clumps of wax to form when the ear is irritated. Additionally, swimmer’s ear does sometimes lead to a discharge from infected scratches within the ear. Thorough cleaning will give ear drops, the typical method of treatment, a clean path through the ear that allows them to reach the full ear. This boosts the effectiveness of the treatment and prevents the issue from being persistent. You do need to be particularly gentle if you’re cleaning your own ears though as inflammation will cause swelling within the ear. This swelling can make the skin more susceptible to scratching and makes it overall far more painful to clean your ear.

Ear Drops
The substance in ear drops to treat swimmer’s ear depends on the severity and kind of infection. Most of them do include compounds to help soothe any inflammation though to help further treatment be easier. Antibiotic and antifungal medications are the core component though depending on the kind of swimmer’s ear. A doctor will do their best to determine the appropriate medication for use in each case. It can be difficult to deal with eardrops if you’re not used to them though. It is often easiest to enlist the aid of a friend or family member to drop them into your ear while you lay on your side with the infected ear up. You shall lay still for several minutes after the drops go in, regardless of who administers them, to give the drops time to get through your ear to ensure full treatment.

Swimmer’s ear is an often painful reminder that your body can’t deflect all potential infections. Fortunately, it is easy enough to work against the infection. Preventive measures are always the best to keep in mind simply so you don’t have to worry about actual treatment. It doesn’t take much to guard against getting excessive moisture in your ear, after all. Treat your ear well and you should be able to enjoy your summer thoroughly.