Swimmer’s Ear Home Remedies
Swimmer’s ear can become very painful unless it is treated effectively early on. Pain is also sometimes the first sign that indicates there is a problem with ear or ears. Many people do not contact a health care professional until their ear shows signs of being plugged or they feel pain. Usually the pain is in response to tugging on the lobes or when chewing. A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotic ear drops and in some cases oral antibiotics. But there are a few home remedies that can be beneficial for preventing or using as swimmer’s ear treatment options.
Making use of Vinegar
Vinegar, just plain old white vinegar from the kitchen cabinet has both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is very probable that it is beneficial for preventing an infection in the ear canal from spreading. Vinegar alone can be dropped into the effected ear, or it can be mixed with equal parts with alcohol. Just a drop or two can be placed in the ear and it will help dry out any liquid and allow it to drain out of the ear. The alcohol will combine with any water in the ear and then it will evaporate effectively removing the water. The acidity of the vinegar will keep bacteria from growing in this vulnerable area.
Over the Counter Ear Drops
There are a few ear drops which are available as over the counter products. As long as they have antiseptic properties they should be effective at helping prevent or treat mild swimmer’s ear. Having some ear drops on hand can be very useful and aid in easing swimmer’s ear. Be sure to check with a doctor first to ensure there hasn’t been any damage to the ear drum or inner ear before using any kind of swimmers ear drops.
Beneficial Oils
Some oils can be used as home remedies for swimmer’s ear. Mineral oil and baby oil can provide a layer of protection very similar to what ear wax provides. Using a dropper, drop some oil into the ear canal and let the extra oil drain out just like you would if you used alcohol or vinegar. Petroleum jelly is an oily substance that is also beneficial for treating swimmers ear. Use a cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it to plug up the ear. This will help keep bacteria out of the ear and it will also help keep moisture out.
Using Alcohol to Dry the Ear
To prevent bacteria from growing in the ear, it’s important to ensure they are kept as dry as possible and that you keep moisture out. Alcohol can be a very useful drying agent as long as the ear drum is in good shape and is not punctured. Using a dropper, place a few drops in the effected ear and then tilt your head with the ear you put drops in up to the sky. Move your head around some to get the alcohol distributed out evenly. Then turn your head so that the remaining alcohol drips out.
Using Heat
If you need relief from pain associated with swimmer’s ear, sometimes applying mild heat to the ear can help. Heat up a washcloth or small towel to place over the ear. It is possible to use a heating pad as long as you observe safety precautions. Just don’t use the heating pad in bed as you can fall asleep too easily and burn yourself. Also do not use a heating pad on a child for any reason.
Oil and Garlic
Olive oil has many beneficial qualities. It can be used to help with swimmer’s ear. The oil can be heated slightly and poured directly into the ear. Be careful to not overheat the oil or you can suffer a burn. Some also say that using garlic can be beneficial for healing. Try crushing a clove or two of garlic and letting it soak in olive oil overnight. Strain all of the garlic pieces out of the oil. Then use the garlic infused oil to put in the ear. It is effective at room temperature or it can be slightly heated before placing it inside the ear canal. Garlic has healing properties.
Making use of Vinegar
Vinegar, just plain old white vinegar from the kitchen cabinet has both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is very probable that it is beneficial for preventing an infection in the ear canal from spreading. Vinegar alone can be dropped into the effected ear, or it can be mixed with equal parts with alcohol. Just a drop or two can be placed in the ear and it will help dry out any liquid and allow it to drain out of the ear. The alcohol will combine with any water in the ear and then it will evaporate effectively removing the water. The acidity of the vinegar will keep bacteria from growing in this vulnerable area.
Over the Counter Ear Drops
There are a few ear drops which are available as over the counter products. As long as they have antiseptic properties they should be effective at helping prevent or treat mild swimmer’s ear. Having some ear drops on hand can be very useful and aid in easing swimmer’s ear. Be sure to check with a doctor first to ensure there hasn’t been any damage to the ear drum or inner ear before using any kind of swimmers ear drops.
Beneficial Oils
Some oils can be used as home remedies for swimmer’s ear. Mineral oil and baby oil can provide a layer of protection very similar to what ear wax provides. Using a dropper, drop some oil into the ear canal and let the extra oil drain out just like you would if you used alcohol or vinegar. Petroleum jelly is an oily substance that is also beneficial for treating swimmers ear. Use a cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it to plug up the ear. This will help keep bacteria out of the ear and it will also help keep moisture out.
Using Alcohol to Dry the Ear
To prevent bacteria from growing in the ear, it’s important to ensure they are kept as dry as possible and that you keep moisture out. Alcohol can be a very useful drying agent as long as the ear drum is in good shape and is not punctured. Using a dropper, place a few drops in the effected ear and then tilt your head with the ear you put drops in up to the sky. Move your head around some to get the alcohol distributed out evenly. Then turn your head so that the remaining alcohol drips out.
Using Heat
If you need relief from pain associated with swimmer’s ear, sometimes applying mild heat to the ear can help. Heat up a washcloth or small towel to place over the ear. It is possible to use a heating pad as long as you observe safety precautions. Just don’t use the heating pad in bed as you can fall asleep too easily and burn yourself. Also do not use a heating pad on a child for any reason.
Oil and Garlic
Olive oil has many beneficial qualities. It can be used to help with swimmer’s ear. The oil can be heated slightly and poured directly into the ear. Be careful to not overheat the oil or you can suffer a burn. Some also say that using garlic can be beneficial for healing. Try crushing a clove or two of garlic and letting it soak in olive oil overnight. Strain all of the garlic pieces out of the oil. Then use the garlic infused oil to put in the ear. It is effective at room temperature or it can be slightly heated before placing it inside the ear canal. Garlic has healing properties.