Swimmer’s ear is inflammation of the external part of the ear as a result of infections. This condition is also known as otitits externa and usually occurs when the ear is exposed to water that has been infected hence the name. Too much exposure to water causes the epidermis which is the outer ear layer to become wrinkled and soft making it prone to viral and bacterial infections. Such microorganisms are found in water, but the skin needs to have a scrape or cut to allow entry and the soft epidermis acts as a good ground for them.

People suffering from swimmer’s ear will usually go through a lot of signs and symptoms which shows that they are suffering from the infections. Some of the most common symptoms for the infections are decreased hearing, painful or itchy ear, white and soft ear wax, a milky or yellowish discharge from the infected ear and sensitivity with every ear movement one makes. Others are swollen lymph nodes, ear heaviness, humming or buzzing inside the ear and a scaly or sore outer skin of the ear.

Several factors are known to cause the condition among them contaminated water and water that is infested with bacteria and fungi finding its way to the canal of the ear. Other causes are hairsprays that have chemical irritants, use of sharp objects to clean the ear, infection of the middle ear, diabetes, hair follicle infections inside the ear and narrow canals of the ear making it hard to drain water from the ear. Exposures to organisms that are infectious and living in moist environments are also common causes of the condition.

Swimmer’s ear is a condition that should be treated as soon as the symptoms appear as it can lead to serious complications if left untreated for long. There are simple natural remedies for the condition that patients can use at the comfort of their houses. The natural remedies for the disease are easy to find at home or from local stores hence it is more convenient to a majority of people besides proving to be very effective in treating the condition.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies for Swimmer’s Ear

Garlic as a Home Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Garlic contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties making it one of the most useful natural remedies for the ear infection. It reduces the swelling and gets rid of the inflammation healing the ear completely. The remedy is also a wonderful way of eliminating any bacteria that could be infesting the organ causing the condition.

Using Garlic as a Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear:

The best way to use garlic when suffering from the condition is to crush several cloves into paste and then applying that to the ear as a simple way of treating the disease. The cloves can also be mixed with a little amount of water after crushing and then a few drops put inside the ear that has the infection. Garlic oil is easily available in stores and can be purchased and put into the ear. It is also advisable to add or use garlic when preparing food as a diet for good health thereby keeping infections at bay.

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Apple cider vinegar has healing properties and minerals which work well in dealing with the fungi and bacterial infections of the ear. This is a good remedy for relieving pain and swelling that could be present in the infected ear getting rid of the problem eventually. The remedy also helps in preventing future attacks of the infections.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar as a Cure for Swimmer’s Ear:

The vinegar should be added in water and the water then used to clean the ear after swimming sessions or after taking a bath. Drops of the vinegar can also be mixed with alcohol and then the solution used to wash the infected ear offering proper treatment for it.

Olive Oil as a Natural Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Olive oil has proven to be very effective when it comes to treating swimmer’s ear as it contains a variety of minerals, which reduce the symptoms of the condition. The oil is also widely used as a treatment for other conditions mainly caused by bacteria and that may result in inflammation since it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Using Olive Oil as a Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear:

The oil should be put into the infected ear three times a day using a dropper. This should be repeated daily until the symptoms have cleared or the desired results have been achieved. This is among the simplest and most effective natural remedies for swimmer’s ear and has been in use for a long time now as it has proven to be beneficial especially to those who love swimming.

Hydrogen Peroxide as a Natural Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Hydrogen peroxide is found in many households and comes in handy in the treatment of the ear infection. It has healing properties and also kills the microorganisms which lead to the infections thereby dealing with the condition from the root.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a Cure for Swimmer’s Ear:

The remedy should be mixed with a good amount of water before using it on the ear that is infected. It is important to avoid using the liquid without dissolving it in water, as it could be dangerous to the skin. It can be used once daily until the desired results from the condition are achieved.

Alcohol as a Home Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: The various compounds and minerals found in alcohol have proven to be very good in dealing with the ear infection. This is not a remedy that is too hard to find, but it should be used with caution to avoid making the condition worse.

Using Alcohol as a Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear:

Those suffering from the condition should use a cotton ball dipped into an alcohol solution to apply the remedy to the infected area. This should be rubbed onto the ear gently as rubbing too hard could cause more pain. The remedy is popular as it acts as an instant pain reliever making it among the most used natural remedies for swimmer’s ear.

Salt as a Natural Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Salt is made up of several minerals found to be very beneficial to patients who suffer from swimmer’s ear. The remedy works in reducing pain by reducing the swelling and inflammation of the ear thereby speeding up the healing process. It is among the simplest but effective home remedies for swimmer’s ear.

Using Salt as a Cure for Swimmer’s Ear:

Add a good amount of salt in a bowl of water and then use the solution to clean the ear. A cotton ball can also be used to properly apply the solution to the ear that has the infection giving fast relief from the condition.

Aloe Vera as a Home Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Aloe Vera is one of the most popular home remedies for a variety of diseases as it contains a variety of properties making it very effective in achieving great results dealing with the conditions successfully. The remedy has also proven to be very good when treating swimmer’s ear as it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.

Using Aloe Vera as a Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear:

The best way for patients to use this remedy is to apply the sticky gel of the fresh leafof aloe Vera onto the affected ear. This should be applied using a cotton ball to ensure that a good amount of gel also gets to the close inner parts of the ear to offer proper treatment. It can be done once a day to give positive results and relieve pain within a short period of time.

Cinnamon as a Natural Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Cinnamon has healing and antifungal properties which makes it a good remedy for swimmer’s ear caused by fungal infections and bacterial infections. It is considered to be among the best pain relievers as it offers those suffering from ear pain fast relief from the pain.

Using Cinnamon as a Cure for Swimmer’s Ear:

The powder of cinnamon should be added in water and the solution applied to the ear using a cotton ball. It should be strained to avoid the residue from entering the inner parts of the ear making it hard to wash off. This remedy is also taken in meals as a diet for several conditions affecting the human body.

Turmeric as a Home Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Turmeric has antibacterial and antiseptic properties making it among the finest home remedies for swimmer’s ear. It has been in use for a long time not just as a treatment for the condition but for other conditions that affect the body. It helps in reducing swelling and pain associated with the infection by getting rid of the organisms that cause the infection.

Using Turmeric as a Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear:

Dry the turmeric and grind it into a fine powder. The powder should then be boiled in a reasonable amount of water and left to cool. Straining should then be done and the water used to clean the infected ear three times a day until the effective results from the condition are achieved. It can also be added in meals as a diet for most common infections.

Fenugreek Seeds as a Home Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear

Properties: Fenugreek seeds have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which make it among the top list of the most effective natural remedies for swimmer’s ear. The remedy is widely used in the treatment of a variety of inflammation conditions as well as those that are as a result of bacterial infections, since it has proven to be very effective.

Using Fenugreek Seeds as a Cure for Swimmer’s Ear:

The seeds should be dried and then ground into powder before mixing it in water. The water should be used to clean the ear preferably after taking swimming session or after baths and left for some time to get effective results. A cotton ball can also be used to apply the solution to the ear.

Other Home Remedies for Swimmer’s Ear

Tale almond oil and apply it to the infected parts of the ear using a cotton ball. This should be left for half an hour before washing it off and should be repeated several times a day to offer the desired result within a short period of time.

Essential oils such as lavender oil can be used to treat swimmer’s ear. Patients should use a cotton ball that is dipped into the oil to apply the remedy to the ear and leave it for 20 minutes before washing it off.

Heat a small amount of baby oil and pour the warm oil into the ear that has the infection as treatment for the condition. A dropper can also be used to put the oil into the ears and this then drained using a cotton ball. The oil is best left in the ear until the next bath as an effective way of dealing with the condition.

Take a hair dryer and put it on moderate heat before drying the ears. Use it after swimming. This helps in draining the water keeping the ears free from contaminated water that could lead to the infection.

Take a towel and dip it in hot water then wring it out before placing this onto the ear as a warm compress for the pain associated with the condition. Heating pads can also be used onto the ear as fast pain relievers.

Add salt in water and then dip a sock into the solution. The sock should then be put in a microwave and heated until warm before the patient can lie onto it with the affected ear placed onto the sock. This is among the simplest home remedies for the condition and has proven to be very effective especially in getting rid of the pain.

Those suffering from swimmer’s ear should make a point of taking steamy showers after swimming to prevent the infections. Putting mineral oil into the ear before and going for swimming sessions is also a good way of keeping the condition at bay.

Diet and Precautions for Swimmer’s Ear

Although there is no specific diet for swimmer’s ear, infections are always kept at bay by eating healthy balanced diets. This means that it is important to take foods rich in nutrients and minerals which help in fighting infections and diseases.

Take lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as a diet for the infections. Increase intakes of foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as oranges and lemon as they have been found to work well in preventing the occurrence of the infections.

Always ensure that you drain off water from the ear after swimming. This can simply be achieved by turning the head gently to allow the water to drain alternating from one ear to the other. A soft towel can be used to dry the water.

It is advisable to always avoid swimming in water that is contaminated or polluted as the chances to get infections are increased. Ear plugs can be used when going swimming to completely avoid water from entering the ears.

Avoid using sharp objects to poke or clean the ear as this could lead to injuries making the ear more prone to getting the infections.