5 Home Remedies To Treat Swimmer’s Ear

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Swimmer's ear or Otitis Externa is an infection of the ear canal, which extends from the outer ear to the eardrum. It is called swimmer's ear because it commonly occurs among people who are associated with swimming. However, it is not to say that the others can't get it.

Causes Of Getting Swimmer's Ear:
You get swimmer's ear when bacteria or fungus grow in the ear canal and cause infection in it. Besides, using hearing equipment, lots of cleaning of the ear and eczema of the canal can also cause swimmer's ear.

Those who live in warm climatic conditions or have eczema or dry skin can also suffer from swimmer's ear. Those who have a history of swimmer's ear are also likely to have it again.

Also Read: Healthy Ears For Years With 10 Simple Steps

Symptoms:
Symptoms of swimmer's ear include itching, discharge from ears and also severe pain. The ear canal also gets swollen because of the infection. It is, however, not contagious. It is always better to consult a doctor to treat this condition. Besides, you can also go for some home remedies to get relief:

Here are 5 such home remedies:

1. Warm Compresses: If the ear infection causes pus and discharge, try warm compress, as it will drain out the fluid and cure the pain. Dip a clean cloth in hot water, drain the excess water and put the cloth over the infected ear for two minutes or so. Tilt your head to drain out the fluid. Do this again after 10 minutes.

2. White Vinegar: One of the most effective agents for swimmer's ear is white vinegar. It has a slight acidic nature which fights the bacteria causing the infection in the ear. Mix white vinegar and alcohol in a bowl and pour two to three drops of the solution into your ears.

3. Garlic: Garlic's antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties kill bacteria and soothe the pain. Mix a few cloves of garlic and add them in two tablespoons of olive oil and heat it. Once it cools, pour a few drops into your infected ear. Do this a couple of times in a day. Eating raw cloves of garlic also helps in healing swimmer's ear.

4. Onion: Onion serves as an effective disinfectant and provides quick relief. Extract the vegetable's juice and after a minute of heating it, put a few drops into your infected ear. Tilt your head thereafter to drain the fluid out.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide: This is another excellent remedy for swimmer's ear. It dries the fluid in the ear and cures the infection. Pour a drop of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Lie with your ear upwards and then let the fluid to drain out. Do this a couple of times daily to treat the condition.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.