In this article, we will discuss what you can do if water gets into your ears while swimming to prevent any discomfort or potential health issues.
What to do if water gets into your ears while swimming?
This naturally happens when swimming in open water and pools, when washing your hair. The main thing is that water does not remain in the ear for a long time, so after finishing water procedures it is important to remove water from the ear.
Tilt your head to the side at 90 degrees, press your index finger wrapped in a towel on the opening of the external auditory canal, then repeat the same on the other side. Sometimes it is impossible to remove water from the ear. This happens, for example, when there is a large amount of earwax in the external auditory canal.
If this happens to you, you need to see a doctor within 1-2 days, otherwise there is a high risk of developing otitis externa.
This often occurs among vacationers at sea. If something like this happens, it is much better to spend some time, and then continue to enjoy your vacation, than to run to the doctor after 2-3 days with a sore ear, after which it will be strictly forbidden to get it wet for another couple of weeks.
It is not recommended to use cotton swabs to remove water, as this often leads to injury.If there is acute or chronic inflammation in the ear, water is strictly contraindicated. In this case, any swimming or diving should be excluded, and the head should be washed carefully, having previously plugged the ear with cotton wool. To enhance the protective effect, you can pre-lubricate it with a greasy cream or moisten it with vegetable oil and squeeze it out.
It’s definitely not worth using special silicone plugs, because, firstly, they do not guarantee complete protection against water ingress, and, secondly, bacteria remain on them, which, with repeated use, can provoke inflammation.
If you find water trapped in your ears after swimming, there are a few simple home remedies you can try to remove it:
- Tilt your head: Tilt your head to the side and gently pull your earlobe in different directions to help water drain out.
- Use gravity: Lie on your side with the affected ear facing down to allow gravity to assist in draining the water out.
- Use a hairdryer: Set your hairdryer to the lowest setting and hold it at least 12 inches away from your ear to help evaporate any remaining water.
- Use ear drops: Over-the-counter ear drops can help break down ear wax and facilitate the removal of trapped water.
Water getting into your ears while swimming is a common issue that can be easily addressed with the right preventive measures and simple home remedies. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you can enjoy your swimming sessions without worrying about discomfort or potential ear infections. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to ear health.