“How do you unclog swimmer's ear?”
I am a 23 year old male and I have swimmer's ear. How do you unclog swimmer's ear?
4 Answers
See ENT for exam and ear clearing
Swimmers ear is a bacterial infection of the external auditory canal. If the canal is completely swollen shut from the infection, a physician may place a wick (compressed cotton) in the ear to help allow for topical antibiotic drops to penetrate deep in the canal and treat the infection.
Assuming you are talking about true OTITIS EXTERNA (and NOT an ear wax build-up or some other cause of ear canal obstruction, which requires an examination with an otoscope to be certain), which is usually an infection of the external ear canal, a number of of things can be tried: the first is to KEEP THE EARS DRY by staying out of the water or using good ear plugs to block water from getting into the ear canals -- as it's the MOISTURE that sets the stage for infection! Then, if that fails, you can try ear drops with rubbing alcohol, acetic acid (vinegar), or sometimes a topical combination antibiotic/anti-fungal solution like Corticosporin-OTIC (or OPTHALMIC, which will not burn if the ear drum happens to be ruptured). If all of this fails, see a good primary care MD who can examine your ears and knows how to diagnose the problem correctly or an ENT specialist who is probably an expert in these disorders.
Swimmer’s ear is an infection. Perhaps you have water in your ear?
