Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Arif Ulubil warned against summer risks that invite many problems in the ears and explained 7 effective measures to be taken against these risks.

Our ears, which are among the most complex organs of the human body, which play a very important role in maintaining the balance of the body as well as hearing, are faced with significant risks, especially in the summer months. Acıbadem Taksim Hospital ENT Specialist Prof. Dr. Arif Ulubil stated that there is an increase in external ear infections especially in the summer months and said, “The fact that the swimming pool or the sea is not clean can often cause infections in the ear. In addition, the chlorine in the pool reduces the resistance of the external ear canal to external factors. Leaving the ears moist after contact with water causes the development of fungal infections in particular.

Watch out for the pool and the sea!

Emphasizing that the external ear canal can be easily infected by microorganisms in the pool and sea, Prof. Dr. Arif Ulubil said:

“In the summer, we often see infections of the region called external ear tract infection. Microbes in the sea and especially in the pool water can cause infection in this area. Even if the pool water is clean in terms of microbes, since it has a high pH value, it can disrupt the low pH ratio in the outer ear canal and pave the way for microbes to settle and reproduce in this region. In addition, ear congestion may occur as a result of contact with water, which is stuck in the ear canal and cannot be cleaned properly.

Danger from ear sticks!

Ear sticks are also widely used to remove earwax or unclog ears, but beware! Stating that under normal conditions, earwax is expelled by itself, using a cotton swab for ear cleaning and inserting it too deep, the dirt is pushed towards the membrane and the congestion increases. Dr. Arif Ulubil said, “This also paves the way for infection. For this reason, it is necessary to consult a doctor instead of using ear sticks or random drops. prof. Dr. Arif Ulubil stated that bacterial external ear infection causes severe ear pain, and ear fungus causes persistent ear itching, and said that these problems are also very common in summer.

7 important measures for ear health!

ENT Specialist Prof. Dr. Arif Ulubil listed the things to be considered for ear health in summer as follows:

Make sure the pool and sea are clean.
Try to dry your ears after showering or swimming because moisture in the canal can predispose to infection.
Dry your ears with a towel or hair dryer after the sea or pool.
Do not use earplugs unless you have an existing eardrum problem. Otherwise, earplugs can both disrupt the ventilation of the ear and increase the risk of infection by damaging the outer ear canal skin.
Make sure your bone is not too tight.
Never use ear buds for relief when you feel stuffy or pressure in your ear.
In any problem, avoid random applications and consult a doctor.