Q. My kids seem to get swimmer’s ear every year. With pool season just around the corner, is there anything we can do to prevent it?
A. To prevent swimmer’s ear, that painful, itchy condition that’s common during the summer, I recommend a couple of things. First, if your child has excess earwax, use a home earwax removal system once a month or more. This reduces the risk of infection because water can no longer get trapped behind wax buildup. It’s also important to dry the ears out after a trip to the pool, since the moist environment can aid in bacteria growth. After showering or rinsing off, put two to three drops of rubbing alcohol in each ear to dry out residual water.