It’s the time of year for “swimmer’s ear”

With temperatures soaring and heat indices topping out in the triple digits, many are flocking to swimming pools and local waterways.

But this could expose you to an unwanted infection.

“Injury to the ear canal, swimming and putting things in your ear can scratch the outer ear canal here and cause some injury and swelling and infection,“ Dr. Albert Richert, Jr., a pediatrician, explains.

Unlike an infection of the middle ear, Dr. Albert Richert says swimmer’s ear happens when bacteria grow in the ear canal.

In that canal there’s delicate skin that is protected by a thin coating of earwax.

“The ear wax forms a barrier that can protect the skin. It helps keep the acidity at the right level in the ear, which helps prevent bacterial growth,“ Dr. Richert said.

Many people clean their ears each day with a cotton swab, but this is actually frowned upon because you’re getting rid of the “good” earwax.

“The old adage is to never place anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow, which basically means don’t put anything in your ear,“  explained Dr. Richert.

So if you or your child will be beating the heat in the water this summer, you need to take some extra steps to ensure that your ears stay healthy.

“One of the best ways is actually to use a hairdryer.  To blow-dry your ear, you hold the hair-dryer about 12 inches from your ear and blow warm air into your ear and that dries your ear out,“ Dr. Richert said.

Like many professional swimmers, Dr. Richert says shaking your ears when you get out of the water also helps to keep them dry.

Swimmer’s ear drops can also aid in prevention, but if you are already feeling pain it’s too late.

Antibiotic ear drops are prescribed to treat swimmer’s ear.

Swimming caps can help with keeping water from entering the ear, but ear plugs are not recommended unless they are specially fit to the person.