Pool users beware: Water left in the ear can lead to infection

As temperatures rise and swimming pools become a popular escape, experts are warning about the risks of ear infections. The moisture left in the ear after swimming can create an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungi, leading to painful outer ear infections.

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The reason for infections that occur after swimming is often not that the pool is dirty, but that the chlorine and other chemicals in the pool water disrupt the natural balance of the ear canal. Furthermore, the moist environment left in the ear creates a suitable ground for bacteria and fungi to multiply.

According to Op. Dr. Akif Sinan Bilgen from Medipol University Pendik Hospital, these infections are more common in the summer months. He explains that the issue isn't always dirty pool water, but rather the chlorine and other chemicals used in pools that can upset the ear canal's natural balance. This disruption, combined with trapped moisture, provides an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms.

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The first symptom of the infection is usually itching, and in the advanced stage, a feeling of fullness, pain, and discharge can be seen in the ear.

Symptoms typically begin with itching and can progress to a feeling of fullness in the ear, pain, and discharge. In severe cases, the pain can be intense enough to disrupt sleep, and the ear canal may even narrow. To prevent these infections, Dr. Bilgen strongly advises drying the ears thoroughly after swimming.

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After leaving the pool, try to drain the water in your ears by tilting your head to the right and left. Then you can dry the ear area using a hairdryer from about 25-30 centimeters away and at low heat.

He recommends tilting the head to the side to drain water and using a hairdryer on a low heat setting from a safe distance. Dr. Bilgen also cautions against using cotton swabs, as they can remove the ear's protective natural layer and cause micro-traumas, increasing infection risk. Individuals with perforated eardrums or ear tubes should take extra precautions, using silicone or wax earplugs and swimming caps to prevent water from entering the ear.

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Cotton swabs can remove the natural layer that protects the ear canal, and these products can increase the risk of infection by causing small traumas to the skin.