Swimmer's ear

If it hurts to tug on your tragus (diagram) and you've been spending time in the water, you probably have swimmer's ear.

Prevention

• Always drain your ears after swimming. If you fail to do so, the resulting moist dark climate is an ideal place for bacteria and fungus to grow.
• Be careful not to use Q-tips too often. This depletes your ears of your natural protective wax, which allows for easy drainage of water from the ear canal and helps block bacteria.

Treatment

• Once you've acquired swimmer's ear, a doctor can prescribe ear drops to remedy the infection.

• Survival Topics

• Survival

• Self defense
• Common sense
• Size intimidation
• Using voice
• Getting physical
• Hand strikes
• Kicks
• Other strikes
• Escaping holds
• Weapons
• Protective devices

• Car situations
• Stranded in winter
• Escaping trunk
• Stop without brakes
• Escape drowning
• Escape a fire

• Kick open door

• CPR review
• First aid
• Shark Attack
• Insect Stings & Bites

• Minor nuisances
• Nose Bleed
• Poison Ivy
• Swimmer's ear

Related Info

Ear Anatomy

CPR & First Aid Review