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AI-Generated response:

What's the best way to prevent swimmer's ear?

Answer generated on June 4, 2024

The AI-generated responses are for illustration purposes only and should not be used for medical purposes.

The best way to prevent swimmer's ear is by reducing moisture exposure, using earplugs or acetic acid solutions, and avoiding ear canal trauma.

  • Instill dilute acetic acid (2%) or alcohol immediately after swimming to prevent external otitis.[1-2]

  • Use earplugs or cotton with petroleum jelly to prevent water entry during swimming or bathing.[2]

  • Dry the ears thoroughly with a hair dryer on a low setting after exposure to moisture.[2]

  • Avoid inserting foreign objects into the ear canal, such as cotton-tipped swabs, to prevent trauma.[1-2]

  • Ensure that any underlying dermatologic conditions affecting the ear canal are adequately treated to prevent complications.[2]

Additional info

It's important to counsel patients, especially those who are frequent swimmers or have had previous episodes of otitis externa, on the importance of keeping the ears dry and clean. Techniques such as tilting the head to help water drain out of the ears and using a hair dryer on a low heat setting can be effective. Patients should be advised against the use of earphones, hearing aids, or any earplugs not specifically designed for water protection while the ear is healing from any episode of otitis externa. Additionally, for those with recurrent issues, a more rigorous preventive approach, including possibly the use of prophylactic antibiotic ear drops after swimming, might be considered, although this should be done under medical supervision to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and potential resistance.[1-2]

References

Reference 1

1.

Haddad, Joseph (2025). External Otitis (Otitis Externa). In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics (pp. 3999). DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-88305-4.00679-9

Preventing external otitis may be necessary for individuals susceptible to recurrences, especially children who swim. The most effective prophylaxis is instillation of dilute alcohol or acetic acid (2%) immediately after swimming or bathing. During an acute episode of otitis externa, patients should not swim, and the ears should be protected from excessive water during bathing. A hair dryer may be used to clear moisture from the ear after swimming as a method of prevention. Cotton-tipped swabs (or another material) may cause trauma to the ear canal, including tympanic membrane perforation, cerumen impaction, or retained foreign body and should be avoided.

Reference 2

2.

Elsevier ClinicalKey Clinical Overview

Screening and Prevention Advise patients to avoid excessive moisture and trauma to the auditory canal Acidification with a topical solution of 2% acetic acid is an effective drying technique after exposure to moisture Application of topical isopropyl alcohol is suggested as an alternate regimen Counsel swimmers on importance of evacuating water from external auditory canal after swimming (eg, head tilt and gentle ear traction to promote water evacuation) Patient should dry wet ears with a hair dryer on low setting after exposure to moisture Wear soft, malleable ear plugs while swimming Patient should avoid manipulation or instrumentation of the external auditory canal to prevent self-induced trauma; stop frequent ear cleaning, especially with cotton-tipped applicators Ensure that hearing aids are well fitting and removed nightly; avoid hard earplugs owing to risk of trauma Ensure that underlying dermatologic conditions are adequately treated

Treatment Recommend precipitant avoidance: Reduce moisture exposure to the ear Avoid water sports and swimming with head submersion under water; competitive swimmers should avoid swimming for at least 2 to 3 days Use earplugs or cotton with petroleum jelly when bathing Use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to reduce any remaining moisture in the external auditory canal after potential water exposure Avoid hearing aids, ear phones, and ear plugs (when not protecting from water exposure while bathing) until pain and discharge have subsided Recommend preventive measures to avoid precipitating factors and prevent recurrent or recalcitrant infection: Dry external auditory canal thoroughly after exposure to moisture or swimming Avoid self-induced trauma (eg, cleaning ears with foreign objects)

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