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Ear, Mild Swimmer's

White Vinegar Rinses: Rinse the ear canals twice a day with ½-strength white vinegar (dilute it with equal parts warm water). Fill the ear canal. After 5 minutes, remove it by turning the head to the side and moving the ear. Reason: restores the normal acid pH of the ear canal and reduces swelling.

EXCEPTION:

Pain Medication: For pain relief, take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours (e.g., Tylenol; adult dosage 650 mg) OR ibuprofen every 6-8 hours (e.g., Advil, Motrin; adult dosage 400 mg).
- Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug.
- Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
- Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
- Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
Local Heat: If pain is moderate to severe, apply a heating pad (set on low) or hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel) to outer ear for 20 minutes. This will also increase drainage. CAUTION: Avoid burns.
Avoid Earplugs: If pus or cloudy fluid is draining from the ear canal, wipe the pus away as it appears. Avoid plugging with cotton. Reason: retained pus causes irritation or infection of the ear canal.
Prevention of Recurrences: Try to keep the ear canals dry. After showers, hair washing, and swimming, help the water run out by turning the head. Avoid cotton swabs. Reason: removes the protective earwax of the ear canal.
Avoid Swimming: Try to avoid swimming until symptoms are gone.
Contagiousness: Swimmer's ear is not contagious.
Expected Course: With treatment, symptoms should be better in 3 days.
IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.