Swimmer's ear infection is an infection that affects the outer part of the ear canal. This problem is often caused by water remaining in the ear and creating a moist environment for bacteria to grow. Putting your finger in the ear and using ear cleaner too much can damage the thin layer of skin that covers the ear canal and lead to swimmer's ear infection.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you have an earache, see your doctor immediately. Getting treatment quickly can prevent the infection from progressing.
During the examination, after examining the inside of the ear, the doctor, based on the type and severity of the infection, prescribes ear drops, which often include one or more of the following options:
Acidic solution to help restore the ear's natural antibacterial environment (such as 3% alcohol ear drops).
Steroid drops to reduce inflammation and swelling
Antibiotic drops to fight bacterial infection
Antifungal drops in case of fungal infection
If the ear infection is more advanced and does not respond to treatment with ear drops, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.
Painkillers:
The doctor may also prescribe pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen for pain relief.
Advice on using ear drops:
· To avoid the unpleasant feeling caused by the coldness of the drops inside the ear, before pouring the drops, hold the bottle in your hand for a few minutes until the temperature of the drops approaches body temperature.
To put drops in the ear, lie on the opposite side of the infected ear, slowly pull the earlobe up and back and pour the drop into the ear canal; This action makes the medicine move along the entire length of the ear canal.