swimmers' ear

Ow. I think I have it. If you've had it, what do you do to get rid of it??? Do I have to go to the doc? It's Saturday and I have an open water race tomorrow... any advice?

Sat. Jul 22, 7:21pm

if you're in the water tomorrow, wear earplugs. Can't emphasize this enough.

Secondly, either go to your doc for antibiotics, or do something antibiotic (probiotic treatments, antibiotic creams whatever). Swimmers ear when it thrives hurts like heck and you don't want to fight it for long.

Saturday, July 22, 2006, 7:34 PM

swimmer's ear hurts to touch the outside of your ear - like if you bump it while brushing your hair or putting on a shirt. if that doesn't change the way your ear feels and it just hurts continually, then you have a middle ear infection. swimmer's ear needs antibiotic ear drops. middle ear infections need antibiotics by mouth.

to prevent it in the future, put a few drops of rubbing alcohol in your ear when you get out of the water. i swim almost daily and haven't had swimmer's ear since i started doing this over 10 years ago. i used to get it all the time before that.

Saturday, July 22, 2006, 8:10 PM

I'm the 2nd poster- mine went from swimmers ear to middle ear infection. Oh the pain!!!

The irony was I had been swimming laps for 8 months no probs. Start swimming with kids in backyard pool, and bam, I get an ear infection...

Saturday, July 22, 2006, 9:18 PM

What is it exactly?

When I swim everyday, I get a full senstion in my ears and hear water "rattling" around, but usually by AM,it's Ok, but then I'm in the pool again?
For years this never happened to me, but now almost everyday? Are there special swimming earplugs?

Wednesday, August 02, 2006, 1:07 AM

Do at your own risk!!!!

An old swimmer tip to get rid of excess water in your ear is to pour a little rubbing alcohol in there and let it sit for a few min. then drain out-- it works the same way as the over the counter ear drops used to prevent swimmer's ear. You may experience a "rusty" taste in your mouth, this is nothing to be alarmed of, you have tasting nerves in your ears.

Warnings: if you have a perferated ear drum or have had ear plugs don't put anything in your ear! Also, if you already have an infection (you'll know if you do) you have to go to the doctor-- no home remedy will fix it.

And wear ear plugs in the future- save your ears before there is a problem.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006, 11:04 AM

i have heard many times from that one should definitely NOT shake one's head or try to "rattle" the water out. apparently this can cause the water to travel further into the ear canal and possibly do more damage...there is an over-the-counter remedy called swimmer's ear-they are drops, but as mentioned above, be careful what you put onto your ears-especially without a doctor's recommendation or supervision!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006, 11:12 AM

here is an informative link about swimmer's ear...good luck!!

Link

Wednesday, August 02, 2006, 11:14 AM

re: 11:04 poster about rubbing alcohol. i've actually heard (and done) the same w/ hydrogen peroxide. . . .it bubbles all the gunk out so it's really gross, but when i thought i had the begining of an ear infection it really helped.

there are also "ear cones" you can buy at holistic health places (sometimes natural food stores carry them as well) that you actually light w/ a flame and the smoke gets directed into your ear to cleanse you ear. totally seems weird to me, but i had a hippie landlord who absolutely SWORE by it.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006, 10:00 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge

Related Content:

How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer

Fitness

Preventive Health

New Diet and Fitness Articles:

Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne:

Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions

Everyday Weight Loss Tips

Related Article :

New PEERtrainer Articles :