| While water-logged ears are common, they are not something to be taken lightly: ear infections can be miserable and, if left untreated, can spread to bone and cartilage or even your brain.| | Preventing Swimmer’s Ear: - Know it’s not just swimming that causes it - anything that has water or humidity near your ear can do the trick..
- Avoid earplugs - they keep the water out, but they can also irritate the ear canal. Try a swim-cap over your ears.
- Also avoid in-ear headphones if you’re prone to Swimmer’s Ear.
- Dry your ears on the outside, tip to one side to let water drain naturally.
- Use a shower cap to keep your ears dry while showering.
- Your mother was right - don’t put anything bigger than your elbow in your ear.
- Use a hairdryer on a very low setting, at least a foot away from your head, to gently dry your ears.
- Don’t swim in dirty water.
- Protect your ears from irritants like hairspray and dyes - cotton balls work well.
- If you’ve had a recent ear infection, talk to your doctor before you swim.
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