Swimming is a wonderful and versatile exercise that everyone can benefit from. It tones your body muscles and helps you relax after a tiring day’s work. In fact, it is an activity which has the least risk of injury. While the benefits of swimming are obvious, you also need to be careful about a few drawbacks associated with it. It is necessary that you prevent water from getting into your ear canals while swimming, whether it is in a pond, river or pool. This will eradicate the risk of ear infection to a large extent.
Below listed are a few effective and preventive methods that you can try to protect your ears while swimming:
1. Evading Swimming In Contaminated Water
The major source of ear infections is contaminated water for sure. You need to be careful when swimming in regional water bodies. The water in a well maintained swimming pool is less likely to be contaminated, but you should be cautious nevertheless. Avoid swimming in ponds or lakes which are not used for swimming by locals
2. Using A Swimming Cap
This is what most professional swimmers do and you can resort to the same to prevent water from getting into the ear canal. However, when you wear the cap, ensure it covers both the ears properly. It is better if you buy and use a swimming cap that has ear pockets. Such caps cover your head and ears better. You may also invest in a cap having chin strap. This ensures the cap covers your ears well, even when you swim for a long time. Those with long hair should not tie a ponytail before wearing the swimming cap. It can defeat the purpose of using the cap. It is prudent that you avoid using Lycra swimming caps, which tend not to be waterproof.
3. Using Ear Plugs
If you do not like the idea of covering the head with a swim cap, using ear plug is an option. You can find both reusable and disposable ear plugs nowadays. If you are not allergic to latex, buying one or more latex based reusable latex plugs makes sense. However, do not push them too deep into ears. Silicone based ear plugs are easy on the wallet and widely available. Some variants are easily mouldable and they can fit many ears easily. Some ear plugs have a water repellant and anti bacterial outer coating too. There are a few ear plugs that are corded but using them can be inconvenient underwater at times. When you buy an ear plug for a child, checking his or her comfort level is necessary. Opt for ear plugs with a carrying case which makes storing them simpler.
4. Buying Suitable And Popular Ear Protection Gears
When you buy ear plugs, swimmer’s cap or such protective gears to safeguard ear from water, ensure you choose the most apt product. Read the online reviews if you prefer buying such products online. You may also talk with a swimming instructor for buying such products.
5. Maintaining Ear Hygiene
Maintaining ear hygiene is also important for safeguarding your ear after swim. You should resort to using a soft and clean towel to pat outer ears dry. Take care to take out water from the ear by tilting the head. You may also use delicate cotton ear buds to soak water inside the ear canals.
6. Augmenting Protection Against Ear Infection
You cannot be too sure about the contamination level of water, especially when swimming in unknown natural water bodies or a public swimming pool. Rubbing body oil on outer ear and ear canal helps prevent water from getting inside to an extent.