subject: Ways To Avoid The Bacteria That Causes Swimmer's Ear [print this page] The condition called otitis externa (more commonly referred to as swimmer's ear), is something that effects both the ear canal and the outer skin of the ear. The difference between swimmer's ear and an inner ear infection (otitis media) is that congestion, a runny nose, and other cold symptoms will generally be present when a person has an inner ear infection.
Swimmer's ear can occur should water become trapped inside the ear canal subsequent to bathing or swimming. The water rubs against the skin, creating an opening for bacteria or fungus to pass through, leading to an infection.
Although never contagious, such an infection is much like those that happen after a bite or laceration of the skin. Ear drops can be purchased at the local pharmacy to combat swimmer's ear, or you can concoct a solution at home using rubbing alcohol and white vinegar in equal amounts. Usage of the drops involves putting five to ten drops in both ears right after swimming, keeping them in the ear for several minutes and then letting them run out.
The rubbing alcohol serves to evaporate any water which remains in the ear and the vinegar will neutralize the growth of fungus or bacteria. These drops are only intended to help you avoid getting infection.
If you already have one, these drops will not help. Not allowing your child to swim in polluted water, ensuring that your child refrains from inserting objects, such as cotton swabs, in their ears, and making sure that all water is removed from your child's ears after they have been swimming or bathing, are other preventative measures that you can take to avoid trouble with swimmer's ear.
In order to determine whether you may be suffering from swimmer's ear, look for symptoms that include localized facial pain close to your ear, or pain when pressing or pulling upon your ear; a severe itching sensation inside the ear canal, as well as outside; a pronounced and sudden lack of hearing. It's also more likely to be swimmer's ear if the pain is in only one ear.
Greenish-yellow pus coming out of the opening of the ear may also occur. If any of these warning signs are present in a young child accompanied by a possible infection, seek medical attention.
If swimmer's ear remains untreated, it can sometimes increase in severity and attack the bone and cartilage which compose the canal of the ear. To ease your discomfort, you can take aspirin or place a warm washcloth over your ear.
In some cases, specialized ear drops containing antibiotic-steroids may be prescribed by your doctor in order to lessen swelling. The fungus or bacteria will be destroyed by the antibiotic, while the swollen, irritated skin will be soothed by the antibiotics.
Your physician might put a wick in the child's ear if there is significant swelling of the ear canal; a wick is a bit of sponge or cotton which helps the drops to penetrate down to the ear canal. The regimen of drops will typically last between five and ten days, and the patient should not swim or allow water into their ear for the duration.
You must not forget to do a follow-up with the doctor after the child's prescribed treatment period expires and to return to the doctor right away should the ear continue to drain or if the child has dizziness, fever, a stiff neck or ear pain which continues for more than forty-eight hours.
