Top Home Remedies and Prevention for Swimmer’s Ear

Simple at-home routines help soothe inflammation and protect against recurring infections.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 18, 2025

Simple at-home routines help soothe inflammation and protect against recurring infections.

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is a painful infection of the outer ear canal, frequently caused by trapped water after swimming or bathing. It can cause discomfort, itching, and even hearing loss if not treated promptly. Thankfully, with the right home remedies and preventive strategies, you can relieve symptoms and decrease your risk of future episodes. This comprehensive guide explores all you need to know about managing swimmer’s ear naturally and safely.

What Is Swimmer’s Ear?
Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Home Remedies and Treatments
Prevention Tips for Swimmer’s Ear
When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear is an infection or inflammation of the external ear canal—the tube that goes from the outside of the head to the eardrum. It often develops when moisture stays in the ear canal, creating a perfect environment for bacteria or fungi to multiply. Although it gets its name because it’s common among swimmers, anyone who is exposed to excess moisture or trauma in the ear canal is at risk.

Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

Symptoms of swimmer’s ear can range from mild to severe. Recognizing them early ensures prompt treatment:

Itching in the ear canal
Redness and swelling around the outer ear
Sensation of fullness or clogged ear
Pain, especially when pulling the earlobe or chewing
Drainage of clear, yellow, or pus-like fluid
Temporary hearing loss in the affected ear
Fever in severe cases

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?

The most common cause of swimmer’s ear is bacterial growth in a warm, damp ear canal. Several risk factors increase the chance of an infection:

Frequent swimming or bathing, especially in pools or lakes
Trapped moisture due to earwax buildup
Use of cotton swabs or objects that can scratch the ear canal skin
Skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis
Allergic reactions to jewelry, hair products, or hearing aids
Excessive sweating, humid weather, or narrow ear canals

Home Remedies and Treatments for Swimmer’s Ear

While professional treatment is often necessary, especially for infections, certain home remedies may ease symptoms, provide comfort, and help prevent future episodes. However, it’s crucial to avoid home remedies if you have a punctured eardrum or ear tubes, unless directed by a healthcare provider.

1. Keep the Ear Dry

Gently tilt your head to let water drain after swimming or bathing.
Wipe only the outer ear with a soft towel.
Use a hairdryer on a cool/low setting, holding it at least 12 inches from the ear.

2. Preventive Ear Drops (Alcohol and Vinegar Solution)

A homemade remedy using equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol may help dry the ear canal and prevent bacterial or fungal growth (only if the eardrum is intact):

Mix one part white vinegar with one part rubbing alcohol.
Use a dropper to put 2-3 drops in each ear after swimming; let it drain back out.
Do not use this remedy on children under 3, or if you have ear tubes, a perforated eardrum, or ongoing ear symptoms without a diagnosis.

3. Prescription Medications

Antibiotic ear drops (often combined with steroids) for bacterial infections
Steroid drops to reduce inflammation and itching
Pain relievers: acetaminophen or ibuprofen may provide comfort
Oral antibiotics may be prescribed for severe or spreading infections

Medication Type	Common Examples	Indication
Antibiotic Drops	Ciprofloxacin, Neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone, Ofloxacin	Bacterial infection
Steroid Drops	Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone	Reduce inflammation and swelling
Oral Antibiotics	Amoxicillin/clavulanate (for severe cases)	Systemic or severe infection

4. Warm Compress

Applying a warm, moist washcloth over the affected ear may help soothe pain.

5. Avoid Irritating the Ear

Do not insert cotton swabs, fingers, hairpins, or other objects into the ear canal.
This prevents additional trauma and reduces the risk of worsening infection.

6. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce pain and fever while waiting for ear drops to work.

7. Natural Oils—With Caution

Some recommend a few drops of warmed (not hot) olive oil to soothe irritation (never use if eardrum damage is suspected).
ALWAYS consult a doctor before using oils in the ear.

8. Good Hygiene

Keep the ear canal clean and dry.
Avoid swimming in dirty water or swimming pools with posted warnings about bacteria counts.

Prevention Tips for Swimmer’s Ear

Prevention starts with keeping the ears healthy and dry:

Dry your ears thoroughly with a soft towel after water exposure.
Gently tip your head side to side to help water drain out.
Avoid inserting foreign objects (cotton swabs, hairpins, etc.) into the ear canal.
Use waterproof earplugs or bathing caps when swimming.
Apply Vaseline to a cotton ball and place it loosely over the ear when bathing if you’re prone to infections.
Avoid swimming in untreated water or when public health alerts indicate elevated bacteria levels.
Protect your ears from sprays (like hair spray or hair dye) by inserting a cotton ball before using such products.
Discuss swimming with your doctor if you’ve recently had ear surgery or infections.

When to See a Doctor

If symptoms do not improve after two days of home treatment
Fever or severe pain develops
Notice pus, blood, or foul-smelling fluid from the ear
Signs of hearing loss persist
History of ear surgery, tubes, or a perforated eardrum
Swimmer’s ear recurs frequently

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use hydrogen peroxide for swimmer’s ear?

Some people use diluted hydrogen peroxide to clean the ear, but it is best used only if the eardrum is intact and there is no active infection. Peroxide can also irritate sensitive tissue, so consult your healthcare professional before use.

Q2: Is swimmer’s ear contagious?

No, swimmer’s ear is not contagious. It is caused by a local infection in the ear canal and cannot spread from person to person.

Q3: How long does swimmer’s ear usually last?

With prompt treatment, most cases resolve within 7–10 days. Severe or untreated infections may take longer or require repeat medical treatment.

Q4: Should I avoid getting my ears wet during recovery?

Yes. Keep the ear completely dry during recovery to help the infection heal. Avoid swimming, submerging the ear, or getting soapy water in the ear canal until cleared by your doctor.

Q5: Can children use the same home remedies as adults?

Some remedies, such as alcohol-vinegar ear drops, are not suitable for young children. Always check with a pediatrician before trying any home or over-the-counter treatments on children.

Q6: Can you get swimmer’s ear without swimming?

Yes. Any activity that exposes the ear to moisture (sweating, humid climates, bathing) or trauma (scratching, using cotton swabs) increases the risk. Swimmer’s ear is possible even without swimming.

Key Takeaways

Swimmer’s ear is preventable and usually treatable with prompt care.
Keep ears dry and avoid inserting foreign objects into the ear canal.
Use homemade preventive ear drops (alcohol/vinegar) only if safe and approved by a doctor.
Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, prolonged, or recurrent.

References

Home Remedies: Suffering from swimmer’s ear – Mayo Clinic News Network
5 Swimmer’s Ear Treatments and Home Remedies – GoodRx
Preventing Swimmer’s Ear in Your Child – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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