Don’t let ear irritation get in the way of your holiday!

Sun. Sea. Happy kids splashing in the pool. Not a cloud in the sky and not a care in the world. That is, until one of your kids complains about itchy, inflamed ears. With the summer holidays just around the corner, we thought we’d share a quick guide on how to avoid having your holiday hijacked by inflamed ears.

What is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s Ear is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal. Its medical name is Otitis Externa. Healthy ear canals are lined by a thin layer of waxy film which helps to repel water and bacterial growth. Ear wax also helps to keep them clean. These are your ears’ natural defences.

However, water trapped in the ear canal can break down this waxy lining. This erodes the protection it provides, and can create the moist, warm environments beloved by bacteria. If your natural defences get overwhelmed, then Swimmer’s Ear can develop.

Common symptoms are itchiness, discomfort, and redness in and around the ear canal, but these can develop into more severe pain, swelling, drainage of fluid, and even hearing loss.

Who is most at risk?

As you’d expect, Swimmer’s Ear is common in swimmers, those regularly exposed to water, or hot and humid conditions – much like those we might hope to encounter on our summer holidays! Exposure to polluted water and regular use of some ear devices are also known to increase the risk of Swimmer’s Ear.

How can I protect my family from Swimmer’s Ear? 

Although it’s an unpleasant condition, the good news is that there are lots of steps you can take to protect you and your family from Swimmer’s Ear.

Taking care to dry your ears properly after swimming, tilting your head to one side to let any water drain out and then using a soft towel to dry your outer ear is a key step, as is keeping irritants like hair spray away from your ears.

Staying clear from polluted water is important too, and you can also use ear plugs or a swimming cap to keep your ears dry when swimming. Lastly, if Swimmer’s Ear does develop, you can use Otinova® Ear Spray, which is an approved medical device used to treat ear canal inflammation. It is simple to use, easy to carry with you and offers quick relief.