Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Do They Help?TypesHow to Get a PrescriptionOther TreatmentsApplication Instructions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Do They Help?
Types
How to Get a Prescription
Other Treatments
Application Instructions
Treating swimmer’s earusually requiresear drops. These might include:
Here’s more on how to treat swimmer’s ear and what kind of ear drops to use for the condition.
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How Do Swimmer’s Ear Drops Help?
Swimmer’s ear drops help to:
Swimmer’s Ear: When Is It Urgent?There are cases of swimmer’s ear that require visiting a healthcare practitioner in case of an infection that could worsen or spread. Symptoms of a possibly severe case of ear infection include:Swimmer’s ear that doesn’t begin to improve on its own after three daysFever or chillsSore throat, dizziness, or other flu-like symptomsHearing changes or lossFluid leaking from earsEar infections on a regular basisLong-term health conditions or immune system issues, such as heart disease or cancer treatment
Swimmer’s Ear: When Is It Urgent?
There are cases of swimmer’s ear that require visiting a healthcare practitioner in case of an infection that could worsen or spread. Symptoms of a possibly severe case of ear infection include:Swimmer’s ear that doesn’t begin to improve on its own after three daysFever or chillsSore throat, dizziness, or other flu-like symptomsHearing changes or lossFluid leaking from earsEar infections on a regular basisLong-term health conditions or immune system issues, such as heart disease or cancer treatment
There are cases of swimmer’s ear that require visiting a healthcare practitioner in case of an infection that could worsen or spread. Symptoms of a possibly severe case of ear infection include:
How to Safely Flush Your Ears with Rubbing Alcohol
Types of Swimmer’s Ear Drops
Ear drops are usually a short-term solution. If an earache lasts longer than about three days, getting prescription ear drops in case bacteria or fungus are the cause of ear pain is advisable. Symptoms like fever, hearing loss, or frequent ear infections also call for seeing a healthcare practitioner for a diagnosis.
Different types of ear drops and some common brand names include the following:
Antibiotic and Antifungal Ear Drops
Antibiotic ear drops treat bacterial infections. A healthcare provider or a pharmacist will prescribe these types of ear drops. Common brand names include:
Antifungal ear drops kill fungus in the ear. Fungal ear infections are not as common as bacterial ear infections.Antifungal ear drops include:
Corticosteroid Ear Drops
Corticosteroids help the body with inflammation, which in the case of ear infections can cause redness, swelling, and itching.Corticosteroid ear dropsinclude ear drops with:
Antibiotic Ear Drops vs. Corticosteroid Ear DropsAntibiotic and antifungal ear drops often contain corticosteroids, a medication that helps with inflammation, the cause of swelling and redness in the ears.Antibiotics and antifungals kill the causes of infection, or bacteria and fungus. Corticosteroids help with swelling and irritation. Decreasing swelling and irritation could make it easier for ear drops to reach the ear canal and prevent people from scratching and worsening an infection.
Antibiotic Ear Drops vs. Corticosteroid Ear Drops
Antibiotic and antifungal ear drops often contain corticosteroids, a medication that helps with inflammation, the cause of swelling and redness in the ears.Antibiotics and antifungals kill the causes of infection, or bacteria and fungus. Corticosteroids help with swelling and irritation. Decreasing swelling and irritation could make it easier for ear drops to reach the ear canal and prevent people from scratching and worsening an infection.
Wax-Removing Ear Drops
How to Get Prescription Swimmer’s Ear Drops
Some ways to get prescription swimmer’s ear drops include:
How Long Do Swimmer’s Ear Drops Take to Work?Most cases of swimmer’s ear should improve in about three days. However, in more severe cases, swimmer’s ear drops can take about a week to 10 days to work, and you may need to take them several times a day.Your treatment time can depend on the types of drops and whether or not an antibiotic is involved.
How Long Do Swimmer’s Ear Drops Take to Work?
Most cases of swimmer’s ear should improve in about three days. However, in more severe cases, swimmer’s ear drops can take about a week to 10 days to work, and you may need to take them several times a day.Your treatment time can depend on the types of drops and whether or not an antibiotic is involved.
Besides Drops, What Else Treats Swimmer’s Ear?
Additional or alternative treatments for swimmer’s ear can depend on severity. These include:
Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) Self-Care and Treatment
How to Apply Swimmer’s Ear Drops
You may need to apply swimmer’s ear dropsseveral times a day. If the ear canal has become swollen, see a healthcare provider. They can insert the drops using a wick. Applying ear drops might require wax or pus removal so the drops reach the ear effectively. A specialist can do this with the use of a gentle suction machine.
Summary
Swimmer’s ear usually occurs because of swimming in unclean water or wax or debris in the ear. Most cases of swimmer’s ear disappear on their own in about three days. Swimmer’s ear drops contain antibiotics or antifungals to treat the infection. Some ear drop prescriptions also include OTC corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and improve overall irritation or discomfort.
Wax-removing ear drops can help gently remove wax. However, if there is already ear canal damage, you should see a healthcare practitioner to remove debris in the ear. Treatment for swimmer’s ear, such as antibiotic drops, can take about a week to 10 days to work.
Alternatives to swimmer’s ear drops include warm oils and water-based wax removal kits to remove wax gently. Pain relievers or oral antibiotics may also prove necessary if an ear infection is severe. If swimmer’s ear comes with a fever and flu-like symptoms, hearing loss, or dizziness, please get professional care as soon as possible.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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