How to Use Isopropyl Alcohol for Swimmer's Ear

People who swim a lot are prone to a condition called swimmer's ear. It is an inflammation of the inner and outer ear canal caused by a mixture of trapped water, bacteria and earwax. Lakes and oceans are more likely than swimming pools to cause ear infections because the water is dirtier. If an ear looks swollen and hurts to touch, it is probably due to a swimmer's ear infection. There is an inexpensive home remedy that involves basic ingredients, but you should see a doctor if it does not clear up in a day or two.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl or cup
• Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
• Distilled white vinegar
• Eyedropper
• Hair dryer

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Instructions

• 1

  Mix together equal parts of isopropyl rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar in a clean bowl.

• 2

  Place the solution in an eyedropper.

• 3

  Tilt the head of the person who has the infected ear. The ear should point toward the ceiling. Place two or three drops of the solution into the ear.

• 4

  Tell the person to gently pull on his earlobe to help the solution saturate the ear canal.

• 5

  Set a hair dryer to the "warm" setting and hold it a foot away from the person's ear. Blow it back and forth for a minute over the person's ear to dry out the solution and evaporate the trapped water inside the ear canal.

• 6

  Repeat these steps for the other ear.

• 7

  Repeat the entire process for both ears every two hours until the pain and/or trapped water goes away.