Having swimmer’s ear can be pretty unpleasant, but using the right essential oils might save you a trip to the doctor or pharmacy. Swimmer’s ear happens when water gets stuck in your ear, creating an ideal spot for bacteria or fungus to thrive. This can lead to inflammation, irritation, and infection. Luckily, essential oils can help you tackle this problem naturally and effectively.
Swimmer’s ear is usually painful and often occurs when water enters the ear canal while bathing or swimming. Some folks are more prone to it than others. It can be acute or chronic, and early symptoms include itchy ears, a sensation of fullness, swelling, drainage, and pain. If you notice redness, swelling, and itching, it may signal an infection. While many people rush to the doctor at the first sign of an earache, essential oils can often help without needing medication.
Also known as Otitis Externa, swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear—not the same as a middle ear infection. With swimmer’s ear, the ear canal often becomes swollen and painful to the touch. If it hurts to stick a finger in your ear, it’s likely an outer ear infection. Ear pain that feels internal and hurts when swallowing might indicate a middle ear infection.
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts with healing properties. They are like super-condensed versions of the plants they come from. Research shows that certain essential oils have antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits, making them potentially useful for swimmer’s ear. These oils can help reduce symptoms like pain, swelling, and infection, though evidence of their effectiveness is mostly anecdotal.
To use essential oils for swimmer’s ear, apply the diluted oil around the outside of your ear to reduce inflammation and pain.
Lavender oil is quite versatile and has a long history in aromatherapy. It’s a natural antioxidant with antimicrobial properties that can prevent infections and fight off bacteria and fungi, making it great for swimmer’s ear. When diluted, it can be applied around the ear for a calming effect.
Garlic oil, although not widely known, is very potent. It contains a compound called allicin, which gives it strong antibacterial and antiviral qualities. It’s excellent for skin infections and is known for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties make it a better choice than antibiotics for swimmer’s ear, as antibiotics don’t kill viruses.
Basil essential oil, celebrated as the “Queen of herbs,” offers exceptional antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It also has natural anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Its antimicrobial properties defend against various bacteria, and it can help relieve the pain and swelling of swimmer’s ear when mixed with a carrier oil like coconut and applied behind the ears.
Peppermint oil is incredibly versatile, boasting strong antimicrobial and antiviral effects. When diluted, it can be applied to ease the pain of swimmer’s ear. Additionally, its calcium antagonism may help alleviate pain. Combining peppermint with lavender oil is another effective approach.
Remember, it’s crucial not to put the oils directly into your ear canal since swimmer’s ear is an external infection. Apply the oils to the outer ear and surrounding area. Though antibiotics might sometimes be necessary, many mild to moderate cases resolve on their own within about 10 days.
Other treatments for swimmer’s ear include keeping ears dry, using rubbing alcohol, a blow dryer, earwax substitutes, and over-the-counter earplugs and drops.
