You don’t have to be an Olympic swimmer to develop swimmers ear. Even taking a shower or soaking in the bathtub can sometimes lead to this condition, which is why you need to learn about the home remedies for swimmers ear. The condition can be rather painful, and usually occurs when the water doesn’t leave your ear canal completely.
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When there is even the tiniest amount of water in your ear canal, it creates the perfect environment for the growth and multiplication of bacteria in your ears. This can cause pain, loss of hearing, buildup of pus and other problems.
You may also experience other symptoms like itching and bleeding, if your condition persists for longer. There are several ear drops and medication that doctors might recommend for the purpose of clearing your ears and getting rid of the moisture. However, you can check out the following natural home remedies for swimmers ear. These home remedies have been tried and tested by various people, and have been used for generations to treat this condition.
Suggested read: Natural Treatments To Alleviate Ear Pain
The best part is, these home remedies are also completely natural, and have no side-effects. This is especially important, since the ears are a very sensitive part of the body, and the infection occurs between the ear drums and the outer part of the ear. Here are the best natural ways in which you can get rid of swimmer’s ear.
1. White vinegar
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White vinegar is a natural anti-bacterial agent because of its acidic nature. The acidity helps kill the bacteria and flush it out of your ears. It is also mild, which ensures that while using it, no harm is caused to your ear canal.
To use white vinegar, mix it with a little rubbing alcohol. Lie down with the infected ear facing upwards and pour the mixture into your ears with a dropper. After it has stayed for about 30 seconds, sit up and drain the fluid out. The alcohol will cleanse your ear canal and help the rest of the liquid evaporate effectively.
2. Petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly is a home remedy that is recommended by thousands of people, which is why it is considered one of the easiest and most natural remedies for this condition. Petroleum jelly has anti-bacterial properties. It also has the ability to get rid of the excess moisture in your ears when used liberally. This gives you immediate relief from the pain.
Take a small ball of cotton, about the size of a pea, and coat it in Vaseline or any other petroleum jelly. After you have inserted this cotton ball in your ear, coat the surface with more petroleum jelly. After half an hour, wipe the area with a moist cloth, and your condition will disappear.
3. Olive oil
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Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which can effectively kill the bacteria which is causing your condition to worsen. Olive oil also gets rid of the moisture from the inside of your ears.
The best way to use olive oil is by dipping a Q-Tip in olive oil till it is completely soaked. Swab this Q-tip on the inside of your ears. Repeat this two to three times a day and leave it in before you go to sleep.
4. Heat pads
Heat pads are also a great natural way to treat your swimmers ear condition. You can use this home remedy if you see the formation of pus on the inside of your ears, and you notice fluid leaking from your ear canal.
The heat helps ease the liquid from your ears, whether it is moisture or pus fluid. This helps the fluid to drain out more easily, and give you relief from the condition. Heat pads also ease the pain you might feel as a result of your condition.
Suggested read: All You Need To Know About Getting Rid Of Earwax Buildup With Home Remedies
5. Garlic
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Garlic contains a compound known as allicin. Allicin is the substance which gives garlic its smell and properties. One of the most well-known properties of garlic is its antibacterial nature. It has the ability to get rid of the bacteria which is affecting your ears, and clear out the fluids that are blocking your ear canal and causing you pain.
To use garlic to treat your swimmers ear, extract the juice of one garlic and swab the inside of your ear with a Q-tip, just like you would do with olive oil. This will kill the bacteria and reduce the pain and redness which are common symptoms of the condition.
6. Onion juice
Like garlic, onions also act as an affective natural remedy for your swimmers ear condition. Onion too has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which can get rid of your condition without pain or the use of chemicals. Onions also flush out the excess fluids from your ears, and help you recover only a day or two after you use onions as a home remedy.
To dry out your ears and get rid of the infection with onion juice, extract the juice form one whole onion and put it in the microwave till it is slightly warm. With a dropper, pour 8 drops of the juice in your ears and block your ear canal with ear plugs or a cotton ball. Drain the ear after keeping it like that for 5 minutes.
7. Lavender oil
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A wonderfully effective natural remedy for swimmers ear is the use of lavender oil. Lavender oil is a popular essential oil, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it adept at fighting the infection in your ears and killing the bacteria. Lavender oil also loosens the bacteria and the fluids from the walls of your ears, and helps the liquid drain out more easily.
Since lavender oil is mild, you can apply it directly to your ears. With a dropper, apply 4-5 drops of lavender oil in the affected ear and let it soak for 5 minutes before you let it drain out.
8. Turmeric and milk
Using turmeric and milk has proven to be a great natural remedy for this condition. Turmeric has some of the most wonderful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used to treat the problem. It is also able to clear congestions and soak up the extra fluids.
Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with a tablespoon of milk and apply this paste to your ears, till you feel the pain ease. Do this two to three times, to allow your condition to heal within a day at the most.
9. Coconut oil
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Apart from olive oil, the best oil you can use to treat a case of swimmers ear naturally at home, is coconut oil. It has well known antibacterial properties, which can clear out the infection from your ears in no time. It also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which treat almost all the symptoms of swimmers ear, to facilitate a painless recovery.
To use coconut oil effectively, take 3-4 tablespoons of pure coconut oil and put it in the microwave till it has melted. Make sure that you use raw and pure coconut oil, without added aromas and chemicals ad that could aggravate your problem. Once you have the warm oil, use a dropper to insert it into your ears. To ensure that it spreads evenly, open and close your mouth and swab it around with a Q-tip. Let it rest for 20 minutes and let it drain out of your ears.
Suggested read: All You Need To Know About Unclogging Blocked Ears With Home Remedies
10. Holy basil
If you have been noticing an abnormal amount of discharge from your ears as a result of your swimmers ear, then you can use holy basil, which is a remedy most people swear by. It is also effective in getting rid of swelling, itching pain and redness, which are the common symptoms of the condition. Holy basil is also antibacterial in nature, which kills of the bacteria, and prevents them from recurring.
Put 4-5 basil leaves through a juicer and heat the juice in the microwave till it is warm. Lie down with the infected ear facing upwards and apply the juice to your ears with a dropper. After letting it rest in that position for 20 minutes or so, you can let the fluid drain out of your ears. You will see a drastic improvement in your condition after one use only.
Swimmers ear might seem like a simple problem, but when you leave it as it is, without treating it properly, it might develop into a serious ear infection. Also, without treatment, the pain in your ears only gets worse. These simple natural home remedies for swimmers ear don’t require much effort on your part, but can solve the problem within a day or two at the most.
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