Question 1

i had swimmers ear today and put in some over-the-counter ear drops which caused me a lot of pain. it wont go away, what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Swimmers ear: Certainly don't use the drops again. Take some ibuprofen, put some mild heat on your ear.  I feel you can try and prevent swimmers ear with OTC droops but treatment takes prescription drops.  This outer ear infection can get quite severe and sometimes even needs oral antibiotics.  If  your ear is red, you have fevers or the pain is unbearable go to an urgent care or even the ER.

Question 2

is there a good way to make swimmers ear go away ?

Accepted Answer

Debridement: You need to have the infected debris from your ear canal removed and have antibiotics to treat the infection.

Question 3

how long does it take for swimmers ear to go away with medication?

Accepted Answer

Otitis Externa: Ear drops are needed for 7 days provided they are put properly, pulling the ear, holding the drops in for 20 minutes and tilting head properly on opposite side. At the most it should take 2 weeks after which it should be reevaluated. 
Any worsening of symptoms during that time should be immediately reevaluated, since complication are common esp in diabetics.

Question 4

if i have swimmers ear. what could happen if i don't get it treated and just let it go away on its own? could i get like sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Treatment: Why not get treated?.  Ear drops after cleansing should help.  It is unlikely that you will become septic, but this is always possible.  Many are due to pseudomonas, you might try a solution of vinegar in water to irrigate the ear canal, steroids will reduce inflammation and antibiotics will fight infection.

Question 5

i know i have swimmers ear. now it feels like i have fluid in my ear and its blocking it up. is this drainage? if so will it go away by itself?

Accepted Answer

See a Dr.: This may be serious.Please see a dr.Uncomplicated swimmers ear may be treated with isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide but i suspect your problem includes a cerumen (ear wax) blockage.

Question 6

have to take eardrops for swimmers ear the ear drops take a long time to go down?

Accepted Answer

May need a wick: If your ear is not feeling better and you are having trouble getting the drops in properly, you may need one or both of the following:
1. There may be a lot of debris (moist dead skin cells, fungus, etc) that needs to be cleaned out of the ear canal (typically by an ENT).
or
2. You may need a wick: a small sponge placed in the ear canal to absorb drops and "wick" them deep where they need to go.

Question 7

is swimmers ear permanent?

Accepted Answer

Not permanent: Swimmer's ear describes infection of the external auditory canal. While the infection can be chronic and recurrent, particularly in swimmers and those who tend to get water or moisture in their ear canals, it is not a "permanent" disease.

Question 8

how can i fix swimmers ear?

Accepted Answer

Debridement, drops: First thing is removing the debris that accompanies the infection. The next is treating the infection with either antibiotic ear drops, or when there is an intact ear drum, treatment with vinegar/water mixture.

Question 9

reasons for chronic swimmers ear?

Accepted Answer

Ocean water: The exposure of the ear canal to contaminated water is one cause. If you have recurrent infections of the sinuses, lungs,skin and ears, please discuss an immune work up with your pediatrician.

Question 10

swimmers ear still blocked 7 days?

Accepted Answer

Swimmer's ear or wax: Swimmer's ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal.  It can be treated with drops; it is reasonable to try vinegar drops first before obtaining a prescription drop.  If the ear is completely blocked, however, it could be from impacted wax.  This can be softened with hydrogen peroxide then flushed out with warm water.  If neither treatment works, see your doctor!

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Doctor answers about:

My swimmers ear wont go away

A member asked:

I had swimmers ear today and put in some over-the-counter ear drops which caused me a lot of pain. it wont go away, what should i do?

A member asked:

Is there a good way to make swimmers ear go away ?

A member asked:

How long does it take for swimmers ear to go away with medication?

A member asked:

If i have swimmers ear. what could happen if i don't get it treated and just let it go away on its own? could i get like sepsis?

A member asked:

I know i have swimmers ear. now it feels like i have fluid in my ear and its blocking it up. is this drainage? if so will it go away by itself?

A member asked:

Have to take eardrops for swimmers ear the ear drops take a long time to go down?

A member asked:

Is swimmers ear permanent?

A member asked:

How can i fix swimmers ear?

A member asked:

Reasons for chronic swimmers ear?

A member asked:

Swimmers ear still blocked 7 days?

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