Tuhey Pool is opening its doors to the public this summer season. From 12 PM to 7 PM, you can beat the heat and have some fun at the 50-meter community swimming pool in Tuhey Park. Swimming is one of the best summer activities to stay cool, as well as get a great workout.
Although the swimming season offers thrill and excitement, it also comes with health risks. More time spent in the water leads to a greater risk of getting swimmer’s ear.
This infection, which may require urgent care in Muncie, occurs when contaminated water gets into your ear and stays there for a long period of time. Not only does it cause discomfort, but it gets worse when ignored. The good news is that it’s preventable with these tips:
Maintain Dry Ears
Water in your ear attracts germs and bacteria that can grow and cause an infection. Keeping your ear canals dry will prevent such germs from sticking. After swimming or bathing, tip your head to the side and let water run out of your ear. To follow, dry the ear with a soft towel. Using a hair dryer on its lowest setting may also help Finally, if you’re prone to swimmer’s ear, you can put a few drops of rubbing alcohol in your ears to dry them out; however,don’t do this often though as it could cause skin irritation.
Clean Your Ears Properly
Observe proper ear hygiene. It’s not recommended to use cotton swabs when cleaning the air canal as it could cause irritation and push the dirt deeper. So, be careful when cleaning your ears and avoid methods that could cause discomfort such as ear candling as they could make you more prone to infection.
Wear Ear Plugs
Earplugs will help you keep water out of your ears and should always be worn when swimming or bathing. However, make sure that your earplugs are reliable in protecting your ears from water infiltration.
Don’t mistake water earplugs for foam ear plugs that are meant take out unwanted noises and balance ear pressure. Also, make sure they fit your ears perfectly to avoid gaps and leaks.
Following these tips will help you avoid swimmer’s ear, allowing you to purely enjoy the activity. Visit a Muncie urgent care clinic in case ear pain and discomfort persist after swimming.
Sources:
Can I Prevent Swimmer’s Ear?
verywell.com
Swimmer’s ear
mayoclinic.org
U.S. HealthWorks Muncie-Clara 