When the summer gets hot, swimming in the pool or at the beach is the perfect way to beat the heat. Unfortunately, 2.4 million people each year leave the water only to experience the pain, swelling, and itchiness of Swimmer’s Ear. Otitis Externa (A.K.A Swimmer’s Ear) is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by an excess of moisture and bacteria in the ear. This illness is especially prevalent during the summer months because the increase of heat and humidity causes moisture to collect in the ear.
Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take before and after entering the water that can help prevent swimmer’s ear.
Swimmer’s Ear Prevention Tips:
- Use water plugs for your ears if you are prone to ear infections. This will decrease your chance of water getting into your ear and will keep the inside of ears dry.
- Watch for signs alerting swimmers to high bacterial counts and avoid swimming on those days.
- Avoid using foreign objects – like fingernails, hairpins, or cotton swabs – to itch or clean your inner ears. Using these items can pack earwax deeper into ear canal, irritate or break the skin, or even puncture your ear drum.
- Exercise caution if you’ve recently had an ear infection or ear surgery and talk to your doctor before going swimming.
AFC Urgent Care in South Plainfield, NJ is a walk in urgent care center offering quality, affordable treatment for Swimmer’s Ear, ear infections, and other acute ailments. We also accept most insurance plans and offer deeply discounted self-pay rates so are services are affordable for each patient that walks through the door. Visit us at 907 Oak Tree Ave, Oak Park Commons in South Plainfield, NJ during our convenient, extended hours for more information.
