Preventing swimmer’s ear and bacteria in pools

As the temperature heats up, a lot of people are cooling off at the pools.

Doctors at Greater Mobile Urgent Care say swimmers ear and gastrointestinal illnesses are common during the summer. If you have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea you may have caught a bug.

Bacteria can also infect the ear canal and cause swimmer’s ear. Doctors say if a pool with fresh or salt water is shocked and chlorinated properly, you should be able to steer clear of illnesses in the water but there are some precautions you can take to prevent swimmer’s ear.

“Probably the best thing to do when they get out every time, make sure they’re thoroughly dried off. Try to dry out that ear as much as possible and when you get home at night you can put about one part vinegar, one part rubbing alcohol and put about 5 ml in the ear, let it sit there about 5 min then let it drain out,” said Dr. Frailie with Greater Mobile Urgent Care.

If you already have swimmer’s ear, doctors say don’t use the ear drops because that could cause more pain. Instead, go to the doctor.

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