Summer Is Here ; Avoid Swimmer's Ear or It Will Cost You

Expect to shell out serious cash if you come down with swimmer's ear.

Swimmer's ear happens when water stays in your ear canal for a long time . That provides a perfect place for germs to grow , leading to infection.

The condition can be painful , prompting people to take themselves or their children to the doctor .

People spent an average of $200 for each doctor's  visit to treat swimmer's ear , or nearly $500 million total , between 2003 and 2007 , according to an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Here are some ways to prevent the swimming-related ear infections and saved your hard-earned cash for summer fun .

1)  Keep your ears as dry as possible when around water.

2)  Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or showering.

3)  Tilt your head from side to side  to let the water drain from your ear.

4)  Use a hair dryer on the lowest heat and fan setting to blow air into your ears . Hold the hair dryer several inches from your ears . 

5)  Do not put objects in your ear or try to remove ear wax . You could damage the skin , potentially increasing your infection risk .

6)  Some people use alcohol based ear-drops after swimming , but check with your doctor before trying them.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention