Swimming - Boyfriend has blood in his ear

[alpinerabbit]

Hi yall,

this is the third time boyfriend discovered coagulated blood in his ear canal the day after swimming.
He also says it hurts sometimes when swimming, and the water stays in his ear (with me it comes out by hopping on the floor with my head tilted).
We are wondering what it might be caused by and how to prevent it.
Could it be that water dries out the skin and makes it crack?

Could he use earplugs? Oil? Didn't someone relate how they used to pour in a drop of oil for "swimmer's ear" prevention?

Any help would be appreciated.


a slightly worried Rabbit.

[crazycanuck]

Oh dear Rabbit,

I've no idea why it might be happening but poor dear!

I wear earplugs in my right ear when I swim and have found it helpful.(i'm deaf in my left ear)

I've never had the problem your dear;s experiencing in my left ear. I do hope you find a solution soon.

Take care

c

[Bikingmomof3]

I have never experienced anything like that. He should see a doctor to cure it and prevent this from happening again.

[Offthegrid]

Definitely see a doctor pronto! This is serious, and it's not worth risking hearing loss. He may have to take some time off from swimming or keep his head above water and just do vertical kicking or water jogging while it heals.

As far as swimmer's ear, this is something I'm very familiar with. Sadly I get it several times a year.

I have not found ear plugs to be effective, but they do have headbands now that are supposed to keep water out of the war. I haven't tried these.

You can use a couple of drops of baby oil before swimming. I have read that this helps prevent the water from staying in the ear canal. Just get a medicine dropper and a small container for the oil.

Afterwards, I use a mix of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 peroxide to try to prevent ear infections. Remix this every week because I have heard that perioxide doesn't keep long. Use only 2-3 drops in each ear and DO NOT DO THIS while you have an ear infection or you'll be screaming in absolute agony for hours.

[alpinerabbit]

Hi yall,

on the calming side - the first time this happened was a couple years ago and it went away with no aftereffect.
The Pharmacist was not too alarmed when I described it, especially that he has no pain now.

Back then we rinsed out earwax with an over-the counter product; will try that again. And no more Q-tips, which he loves. If it ever comes back, off to the doctor it is.

Thanks for confirming the oil and vinegar/peroxide procedures.

[Bluetree]

I have not found ear plugs to be effective, but they do have headbands now that are supposed to keep water out of the war. I haven't tried these.

Susie,
What kind of earplugs have you been using... the silicone kind or the rubber ones? I use the silicone ones (the play-do like ones) and I don't have any problems with water in my ear. I think the Speedo brand works a lot better than the Tyr ones, which sometimes pop out or lets water seep in. The rubber ones never worked for me.

[Offthegrid]

Bluetree, I have used the silicon ones that you can mold yourself. They leaked water in anyway. On the earbands, I just can't comprehend how to wear them. Over the goggles?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And no more Q-tips, which he loves.

That's the part I think may be the original cause...you can really injure/break your eardrum parts with Q-tips.

[alpinerabbit]

Just wanted to let you know neither the pain nor the blood has come back since, and he's been good with the Q-tips. So all is fine.

[Tri Girl]

Glad to hear it!