Ear Canal Problems (Swimmer's Ear)

Home Treatment

You may be able to relieve your ear canal problem.

• If you are quite sure that you do not have a ruptured eardrum:
  • Gently rinse the ear using a bulb syringe and warm saline solution or a half-and-half solution of white vinegar and warm water. Make sure the flushing solution is body temperature. Inserting cool or hot fluids in the ear may cause dizziness.
  • Avoid getting any more water in your ear until the irritation clears up. Cotton coated with petroleum jelly can be used as an earplug. Do not use plastic earplugs.
• If your ear is itchy, try non-prescription swimmer's eardrops, such as Star-Otic. Use them before and after swimming or getting your ears wet.
• To ease ear pain, apply a warm face cloth or a heating pad set on low. There may be some drainage when the heat melts earwax. For more information about earwax removal, see the topic Earwax.
  • Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.
  • Do not use a heating pad on a child.
• Do not use ear candles. They have no proven benefit in the removal of earwax or other objects in the ear and can cause serious injury.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try an over-the-counter medicine to help treat your ear canal problem:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or Panadol Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin ASA, such as Aspirin or Bufferin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use an over-the-counter medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, call your doctor before you take any medicine. Do not give ASA to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

To insert eardrops

• First, warm the drops to body temperature by rolling the container in your hands or placing it in a cup of warm water for a few minutes. Inserting cold eardrops can cause pain and dizziness.
• Have the person lie down, ear facing up.
• Place 2 or 3 drops on the wall of the ear canal so air can escape and drops can get into the ear. Gently wiggling the outer ear will help.
• You may find it easier to insert eardrops in a small child's ear by holding the child on your lap with his or her legs around your waist and head down on your knees. If possible, remain in this position for 2 to 3 minutes.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate the symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.

• Ear pain and itching persist or get worse after 3 days of home treatment.
• The ear canal, the opening to the ear canal, the external ear, or the skin around the external ear becomes swollen, red, or very painful.
• Discharge from the ear that does not appear to be earwax develops.
• Discharge from the ear that is foul-smelling develops.
• Fever develops.
• Dizziness or unsteadiness develops.
• Ear discomfort lasts for longer than 1 week.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: May 22, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
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