Swimmer's ear infection: "Open your ears wide, but not too wide!" 👂🏼🌊

Typical of the summer season, otitis externa is an infection that affects the external ear canal, usually manifesting first an uncomfortable itching, and then a sharp pain in the ear.
"Not too much" because it is precisely water stagnation in the ear canal that causes it, which is why it is also known as "swimmer's otitis" or "bathing otitis." Swimmer's otitis is distinguished from otitis media, which affects the middle ear instead and is typical of the winter season.
Why the swimmer's otitis comes.  
What causes the infection of the ear canal is direct contact with germs stagnated in the water of swimming pools and the sea (this is why it is called swimmer's otitis). In fact, a certain amount of bacteria is always present within the water.
How to prevent swimmer's otitis
While not taking anything away from the pleasure of being in the water, especially when the heat becomes unbearable, it is good to keep in mind a few tips to avoid cases of otitis balneum:
* take breaks between swims so that the skin of the ear canal can dry out and not allow moisture stagnation;
* avoid the use of earplugs, because it can often happen that water gets in anyway, and in that case the ear is then unable to dry properly;
* Avoid scratching the ears, because the skin may have micro-abrasions through which fungi and bacteria can enter;
* avoid the use of cotton buds, with their abrasive action they can only worsen the situation;
* avoid baths that are too long or too close together, and remember to dry the ear as soon as you get out of the water with a clean towel or handkerchief.
Treatment always requires the use of antibiotic
In Phytotherapy there are several herbal principles useful in cases of otitis, let's look at some of them:
 
 Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE). Tip: GSE EAR DROPS Forms on the auricular mucosa of the ear canal a microbiologically controlled environment by protecting it from external aggressions without affecting the physiological microflora. 
 
 Tocopherol acetate oil (vitamin E). Tip: OTO FILMS.
It performs a mechanical cleansing action by promoting the elimination of any debris stuck inside the ear canal and thus preventing microbial contamination that can lead to the onset of otitis. It also possesses lubricating and emollient abilities that promote the dissolution and elimination of the earwax plug.
Open your ears wide and go back to swimming!
You now have all the elements to prevent and treat swimmer's otitis and can safely return to swimming by following these simple steps!