## Can You Go Scuba Diving with Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is a common infection of the outer ear canal. It is caused by bacteria that enter the ear through the ear canal and can cause pain, itching, swelling, and discharge.
Scuba diving can put you at an increased risk of developing swimmer’s ear, as the water pressure can force bacteria into the ear canal. This can lead to inflammation and infection.
### Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
The symptoms of swimmer’s ear can include:
Pain
Itching
Swelling
Discharge
Hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
### Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear
The treatment for swimmer’s ear typically involves antibiotics and pain relievers. The antibiotics will help to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection, and the pain relievers will help to relieve the pain.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to drain the ear canal and remove any debris or pus.
### How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
There are a few things you can do to help prevent swimmer’s ear, including:
Keep your ears dry. After swimming, gently dry your ears with a clean towel.
Use earplugs when swimming. Earplugs can help to keep water out of your ears and reduce your risk of developing swimmer’s ear.
Avoid swimming in water that is contaminated with bacteria. This includes swimming in pools that are not properly chlorinated or in natural bodies of water that are known to be contaminated.
See your doctor if you have any symptoms of swimmer’s ear. Early treatment can help to prevent the infection from getting worse.
### Can You Go Scuba Diving with Swimmer’s Ear?
It is not recommended to go scuba diving with swimmer’s ear. The water pressure can force bacteria deeper into the ear canal, which can make the infection worse. If you have swimmer’s ear, it is best to wait until the infection has cleared up before going scuba diving.
### Conclusion
Swimmer’s ear is a common infection of the outer ear canal that can be caused by scuba diving. The symptoms of swimmer’s ear can include pain, itching, swelling, discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The treatment for swimmer’s ear typically involves antibiotics and pain relievers. There are a few things you can do to help prevent swimmer’s ear, including keeping your ears dry, using earplugs when swimming, avoiding swimming in contaminated water, and seeing your doctor if you have any symptoms of swimmer’s ear.
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