…and I haven’t been swimming since last summer. Apparently I got water from the shower in there, and it became infected. I didn’t think anything of it when my ear started to feel sore the other day, I just thought I slept on it wrong. On Monday, I figured it was my jaw causing the pain. Today, I woke up and it felt like someone was cutting the insides of my ear out, and there was a loud ringing in my ear. I assume there is wax in there, so I try to get it out with a cotton swab. That didn’t help any.
Oh well, I have Cipro eardrops now. And the ringing stopped.
Mudshark, I hate to tell you this… I got swimmer’s ear in a pool in a motel in Williamsburg, VA when I was 9. It’s still a big problem today, 32 years later…
No wonder you have swimmer’s ear, what with all of the sweeping the ocean! 
I used to get swimmer’s ear alot. Then I took a scuba class where they recommended rinsing the ears with alcohol and some sort of mild acid. I can’t remember the type of acid, but a pharmacist can mix it up for you.
There are two commercial products of this type that you can find at the drugstore to help prevent this problem. One is called “Swim Ear” and the other is “Auro-Dry,” or something to that effect. Look for them in the eyedrop/eardrop section. Since I started using these years ago after swimming and even every bath or shower, I have never had another problem with swimmer’s ear. I don’t think these should be used while the ear is infected, but once it clears up to keep the infection from returning.
The Crunchy Frog’s alcohol recommendation is a must as soon as water gets stuck in your ear.
Getting water stuck in your ear seems to occur most during puberty / teen years.
I let it fester once in my life and paid the cosequences.
Crescendoing Pain to the point that 6 days later I was almost bashing head against the wall.
12 Visits to the ETN Dr. to clear it up.
A hole in the lining of my inner ear so I was able to blow air and mushroom/fungus debris right out of the side of my head.
If the pain is that bad, Mudshark, get thee to a doctor! If you just let it sit, you risk ear damage. I got swimmer’s ear all the time as a kid; IIRC, the doc gave me medicated ear drops and advised Mom to make sure I dried my ears out after a swim. Crunchy Frog’s alcohol ear rinse is a good idea for prevention in the future.
I did go to the doctor, thus the Cipro Ear Drops. And, that’s how I knew it was Swimmer’s ear.
I probably should get the preventative ear drops so it doesn’t come back.
I used to get swimmer’s ear quite frequently. One doctor recommended ear plugs anytime I got my head wet along with prescription ear drops once a week. The plugs did prevent a recurrence, but it was sort of a hassle. Another doctor recommended gentley flushing the ear canal out with warm water using an aspirator once a week and using a 50/50 isopropanol alcohol and white vinegar solution as necessary. The solution works well. I have used it many times. Other people have recommended using hydrogen peroxide.
Careful with the ear plugs. They are only for surface swimming. The pressure when you swim underwater can drive them into your ear canals.