Swimmer’s Ear Treatment in Cape May County, NJ
The bane of water enthusiasts in Cape May County, New Jersey, and seaside towns everywhere, swimmer’s ear is a painful infection of the outer ear canal that could potentially put a damper on your summer fun. The experienced team at Cape Regional Urgent Care offers effective swimmer’s ear treatment with no appointment necessary. Be sure to come see us at the first sign of ear pain, irritation, or infection. We’ll have you feeling better and back on the beach in no time!
Swimmer’s ear develops when water becomes trapped within the ear canal, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. This can easily happen whether you swim in a natural body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or river, or a chlorinated swimming pool or hot tub. It can also occur if you sweat profusely or spend time in a humid environment, both of which are common in Cape May County during the sweltering summer months.
How Do You Know if You Need Swimmer’s Ear Treatment?
Signs of swimmer’s ear can include:
- Redness of the outer ear
- Itching in the ear
- Pain when touching the earlobe or moving the head
- Drainage from the ear
- Muffled hearing
- A sensation of fullness or pressure inside the ear
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek professional swimmer’s ear treatment as soon as possible. This is important to help prevent the infection from worsening and spreading.
Swimmer’s ear treatment may include antibiotic ear drops to destroy bacteria, corticosteroid ear drops to reduce swelling, and/or an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. During recovery, it is important to keep the affected ear dry.
How Can I Prevent Swimmer’s Ear?
The following tips can help you prevent swimmer’s ear:
- Wear earplugs when swimming.
- Tilt your head from side to side after swimming or showering to help drain the water from your ears.
- Gently and thoroughly dry your ears with a clean towel after swimming or showering.
- Do not clean your ears with cotton swabs.
- Do not scratch your ears with your fingers or other objects.
For more tips on staying healthy this summer and throughout the rest of the year, please contact or visit Cape Regional Urgent Care in Cape May County, NJ. We provide swimmer’s ear treatment and other non-emergency urgent care and preventive healthcare services on a walk-in basis. We also have an optional online check-in system for added convenience.