Searches for “vacation destinations” have soared by 139% in the past three months, but experts warn that one common vacation habit could leave travelers with a painful infection before they’ve even unpacked their bags.
Dr. Jenn Schumacher, audiologist at ReSound, has given her expert insight into what precautions you need to take this summer to prevent any ear infections while travelling across the US, or abroad this year.
1. Failing to dry ears properly
Spending long days in the pool or ocean, means your ears are exposed to water far more often than usual. With busy vacation schedules, it’s easy to forget one simple step: drying your ears properly.
While water will usually drain out on its own, excess moisture left behind after swimming or showering can get trapped in the ear canal. This creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, increasing your risk of infection.
2. Allowing shampoo and body gels to get into the ear
Washing your hair more often on vacation makes it easier for shampoo or body wash to get into your ears.
These products can irritate the delicate skin inside the ear canal and weaken its natural protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to infection.
Irritation can then lead to itching and once you start putting your fingers or nails in your ears to soothe itchiness, you’re introducing even more bacteria.
3. Using cotton swabs to remove water
When water gets trapped in your ear, it can be tempting to reach for a cotton swab to help soak it up.
But instead of helping, cotton swabs can actually push moisture and bacteria deeper into the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection. They can also cause irritation or small scratches, which can make infections more likely.
4. Swimming in contaminated water
Jumping in the water is a great way to keep cool in summer, but not all swimming spots are equally as clean.
While pools are typically treated and maintained, natural waters like lakes or rivers often contain bacteria. If that contaminated water gets trapped in your ear, it can increase your risk of infection.
How to prevent ear infections this summer
Dry your ears properly
After swimming or bathing, make sure to dry your ears thoroughly. Use a clean towel or a hairdryer on a low setting, held at a safe distance.
Avoid swimming in freshwater
Ponds, lakes, and rivers often contain more bacteria than regularly maintained pools. To reduce your risk, try to stick to properly treated pool water whenever possible.
Don’t stick anything into your ear canal
It’s important to remember that the ears are actually mostly self cleaning. Earwax helps protect against infection and removes debris. By inserting objects such as cotton swabs it can disrupt this balance, increase infection risk, or even cause blockages.
Drain water from your ears
Gently tilt your head from side to side after swimming to help drain trapped water and reduce moisture buildup.
Wear earplugs
Earplugs can help prevent water and chlorine from entering your ears. Be sure to clean them thoroughly between uses to avoid introducing bacteria. You can have custom swim plugs made for you by an audiologist
