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Remedies for swimmers ear

How the structures involved in Swimmer's Ear differ from normal
Illustration: How the structures involved in Swimmer's Ear differ from normal

Short answer

Remedies for swimmer’s ear include keeping the ear dry, avoiding objects in the canal, and obtaining advice about suitable medicated drops.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Protect
Keep the ear dry and leave the canal alone.
Do not use
Cotton buds, oils, or unadvised household drops.

What swimmer’s ear is

Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is inflammation or infection of the ear canal. Water trapped in the canal, scratching, earbuds, or cotton buds can damage the skin and allow irritation to develop. Earache, itching, tenderness when the outer ear is moved, discharge, and muffled hearing can occur. Hearing Loss that is sudden, marked, or accompanied by severe pain needs prompt assessment rather than home treatment.

Protect the ear while it heals

Keep water and shampoo out of the affected ear; use care when washing and avoid swimming until symptoms settle or a clinician says it is safe. Do not insert cotton buds, fingers, oils, or household liquids into the canal. A clinician may prescribe ear drops to treat inflammation or infection, and the correct product depends on the eardrum and the appearance of the canal. Use drops exactly as directed and do not share them. Simple pain relief may help if it is suitable for you; a pharmacist can check this.

When to seek care

Arrange a GP Consultation if pain, swelling, discharge, or blocked hearing does not improve, or if symptoms keep returning. Seek urgent care for severe pain, fever with spreading redness, facial weakness, dizziness, sudden hearing change, or swelling extending around the ear. People with diabetes or reduced immunity should seek advice early because infections may become more serious.

Questions for your doctor

Is the eardrum intact, and which drops are suitable? When can I swim again? How should I prevent water or scratching from irritating the canal?

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Can I swim with swimmer’s ear?

Avoid swimming until symptoms have settled or a clinician confirms that returning to the water is appropriate.

Why should I avoid cotton buds?

They can scratch the canal, push debris deeper, and delay healing.

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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.