Dry your ears after swimming
Get water out of your ear canals after every swim so bacteria can't settle in.
- How often
- As needed
- Time
- 1 min
- Recommended for
- 2 factors
How to do it
- After swimming or surfing, tilt your head to each side and gently tug your earlobe to let water drain.
- Dry the outside of your ears with a towel. Don't push cotton swabs or fingers into the canal.
- Leave earwax alone. It helps protect the canal from infection.
- If you swim or surf often, especially in cold water, consider well-fitted swim earplugs.
Why it helps
Water that sits in the ear canal softens the skin and lets bacteria grow, which causes swimmer's ear. Repeated cold water and wind can also lead to bony growths in the canal, called surfer's ear. Keeping ears dry and covered lowers both risks.
Be careful
Ask a healthcare provider before using ear-drying drops, and skip them if you have ear tubes, a punctured eardrum or ear drainage.