We are now offering early morning and noon appointments on Tuesday. 6:30AM – 5:00PM
Tuscaloosa ENT is the only ENT office open on Friday afternoons in the area. We also offer lunch hour appointments.
Pool season is here and many of us, as well as the kids in our lives, will spend a lot of our free time this summer in the water. Lots of time in the water can lead to a few minor health conditions, including ear infections. Keep reading to learn more about how to care for and prevent a “swimmer’s ear” infection.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s Ear is an ear infection of the outer ear canal caused by excess water left behind after swimming or direct contact with water. This excess water creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria can grow and thrive. Most cases can be treated with ear drops but it is important to see your ear, nose and throat specialist make sure the infection doesn’t worsen.
What are the Symptoms?
More mild cases will typically consist of mild discomfort and redness. In some cases, drainage of fluid may occur. If symptoms persist, you should see your doctor to address the worsening of these symptoms. In more progressive cases, you can experience severe pain, complete ear canal blockages and possibly a fever. Even if your symptoms are mild, it is very important to make sure this condition is resolved before it worsens,
What Can I Do to Prevent it?
To prevent this condition in the first place, the following are a few things that can be done to prevent an infection from starting:
Dry your ears – After swimming it’s important that you dry your ears as best as you can to make sure that there is minimal risk of any excess being left over to sit.
Ear drops - Use ear drops to help dry up any excess water as soon as you notice it begin to dry up the ear canal.
If you think you might be experiencing an ear infection of any kind, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.