Swimmer’s Ear Solutions
Question: After swimming, sometimes my ears hurt. How can that be fixed?
Mimi: It’s great to take a dip in the pool on a hot summer's day. What's not so great is when you bring some of the water home with you in your ear. Consider these tips for beaching swimmer's ear.
Be careful with your cleaning. Cleaning your ears a day or so before a swim may actually rob your ears of the protection they need to prevent swimmer's ear. You need to keep the wax inside to protect and lubricate. It's just as if you put wax on your finger and then put your finger in water. Your finger is not going to get wet. When you do clean your ears, don't dig for wax; simply wipe the outer ear with a clean washcloth.
Before swimming: Put some mineral oil, baby oil or even Vaseline (oil derived from a mineral source, such as petroleum, because it is inexpensive and rarely causes allergic reactions) in your ears before going in the water. Wear earplugs while swimming and avoid swimming in dirty waters.
After swimming: If you have water in your ears, a drop or two of isopropyl alcohol in the ear may cause any water that remains in the ear to evaporate.
There are commercial products that may help. You can make your own at home. Swim-Ear is one of several products on the market designed to evaporate any water that may remain in the ear. It’s made with isopropyl alcohol and glycerin. Both are readily available and inexpensive in the drug store.
Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands.
Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations. (909) 793-9080. Past columns of Ask Mimi are on the web at www.INTERNATIONALdayspa.com.
