How to Get Rid of Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear is a painful infection in your ear canal. It happens when water gets trapped in your ear, creating a perfect spot for bacteria to grow. The good news? With the right treatment, most cases clear up within a week.

How Doctors Treat Swimmer's Ear

The main treatment for swimmer's ear is prescription ear drops. Your doctor may prescribe drops that contain antibiotics to kill bacteria, steroids to reduce swelling, or antifungal medicine if a fungus is causing the infection.

Your doctor may also clean your ear canal to help the drops work better. If your ear canal is very swollen, they might place a small wick inside to help deliver the medicine.

Pain Relief at Home

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with discomfort. Placing a warm compress against your ear may also ease the pain.

Keep Your Ears Dry During Treatment

While healing, you need to keep your ears completely dry. Avoid swimming, diving, and getting water in your ears during showers. Use a cotton ball coated with petroleum jelly to protect your ear when bathing. Don't wear earbuds or hearing aids until the pain and discharge stop.

How to Use Ear Drops Correctly

Lie on your side with the infected ear facing up. Put in the prescribed number of drops, then stay on your side for 3 to 5 minutes so the medicine can coat your entire ear canal. You can place a cotton ball in your ear afterward to keep the drops in place.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms like ear pain, itching, redness, or drainage. Swimmer's ear won't get better on its own and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Seek urgent care if you have severe pain, fever, or if symptoms don't improve after a few days of treatment.

Prevention Tips

After swimming or bathing, tilt your head to each side to drain water from your ears. Dry your ears thoroughly with a towel. Wear earplugs or a bathing cap when swimming. Never stick objects like cotton swabs into your ear canal—earwax actually helps protect against infection.