To the reader:
If you use ear plugs made of silicone (most on the market now are made of silicone), you don't have to replace them every two weeks. My pair has lasted me almost a year now (...
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Dear Alice,
What would be the best way to protect my ears when swimming? Are earplugs a good solution ?
Dear Reader,
Excessive and relatively constant moisture in the ear canal can cause infection in the external part of the canal. Infections of this sort are commonly known as "swimmer's ear." The obvious way to prevent swimmer's ear is to keep your ears dry. GENTLY dabbing them with a towel or cotton-tipped swab is one preventative step against infection. NOTE: pushing or jabbing anything into your ears can cause damage, not to mention blockage due to the redistribution of wax.
And, yes, earplugs are another way to protect your ears when you swim. If you decide to wear earplugs, take a few simple precautions to prevent getting an infection from the earplugs themselves. Change them every two weeks or so. Also, clean your earplugs after wearing them with a little rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball.
Symptoms of swimmer's ear include:
- pain
- a sense of fullness or blockage of the ear
- discharge
- itching
When you get an ear infection, it's best to keep your ears away from water until the infection has cleared up. If these symptoms last longer than a week or two (depending on their severity), or if you get swimmer's ear often, see your health care provider. Make an appointment with her/him right away if your infection is accompanied by a fever, pus-like or bloody discharge, or any noticeable hearing loss or ringing in your ears.
September 19, 2008
To the reader:
If you use ear plugs made of silicone (most on the market now are made of silicone), you don't have to replace them every two weeks. My pair has lasted me almost a year now (original cost 3.98). You can kill any bacteria on them by putting them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then simply air dry them afterwards. Don't worry about melting the plugs, as silicone is extremely heat resistant.