You should avoid swimming in any water (pools, oceans, lakes) for at least 2-4 weeks, ideally until fully healed (6-8 weeks or longer), to prevent infection from bacteria in the water entering the fresh wound. If you must swim sooner, use a waterproof bandage to cover the piercing completely and clean it thoroughly with saline spray immediately after getting out, but it's still risky as bacteria can linger, delaying healing.
It's a super common question, especially if you're heading into summer with a fresh new look. While the answer isn't always black and white, the general rule is to wait at least 2 to 8 weeks before jumping into a pool, hot tub, or natural body of water.
We recommend waiting around six weeks until your piercing has healed nicely before taking the plunge in a swimming pool, the sea or a hot tub. Not only can bodies of water be carriers of bacteria, but the chlorine you find in a swimming pool can be an irritant that you won't want anywhere near your newly pierced ears.
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.
Swimming in pools, oceans, or lakes too soon, especially without protection, can introduce bacteria, delay healing, and lead to painful complications. With careful planning, waterproof protection, and proper hygiene, you don't have to choose between beautiful ear piercings and a love of the water.
If you must swim, we recommend covering your piercing with a waterproof Band-Aid. Always spray with Sterilear Step 1: Clean after swimming and removing the Band-Aid. Spray sparingly, and rinse after use. Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside.
Stay away from swimming in pools, hot tubs, or any body of water for at least the first few weeks. These environments can introduce harmful bacteria into the piercing.
If your child is not feeling pain, being in the pool will not worsen a middle ear infection. If your child is comfortable swimming with a middle ear infection, dry your child's ears after time in the water so they do not also develop swimmer's ear.
Surprisingly, even well-chlorinated pool water can cause an infection because it can break down your ear's natural defenses.
Consider Using Ear Plugs for Swimmer's Ear
If you have recurrent ear infections, ear plugs can help keep your ears dry while swimming. Check with your doctor on which kind of plug is best to use.
What Causes It? Swimmer's ear (or otitis externa) is common in kids who spend a lot of time in the water. Too much moisture in the ear can irritate the skin in the canal, letting bacteria or fungi get in. It happens most often in summertime, when swimming is common.
For instance, if you swim often, the water removes earwax and softens the skin in the ear. You can also harm the skin in the ear by wearing hearing aids, ear buds, or earplugs. Other things that put you at greater risk for swimmer's ear include: Coming into contact with germs in hot tubs or unclean pool water.
Can my child go swimming during an ear infection? If your child has an outer ear infection, wait until one week after treatment to give the ear time to heal before letting your child swim. For middle ear infections and glue ear, swimming is OK but should be avoided if the ear drum is perforated.
Swimmer's ear is an infection in the outer ear canal. The outer ear canal runs from the eardrum to the outside the head. Swimmer's ear is often brought on by water that stays in the ear. The moisture helps bacteria grow.
Swimmer's ear treatment
At home, a diluted solution of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can help get rid of bacteria in your ear. Use an eye dropper or rubber bulb syringe to drop the solution into the ear. Do not do this if you know the eardrum has holes in it.
But they can also open a chance of infection. And swimming can increase your risk of developing infections after a piercing. It's best to avoid swimming until your piercing is fully healed, which can take a few weeks or a few months.
Swimming in chlorinated pools may dry out the piercing and cause irritation. Swimming in the ocean introduces foreign microorganisms and sediment (dirt and debris) to your healing piercing (which is essentially an open wound). Please wait 4-5 months before swimming in a pool or the ocean.
Gently wash your piercings with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and water at least once a day. Thoroughly rinse your piercings after washing them. Avoid cleaning your piercing with hydrogen peroxide or antibacterial soaps, which can damage your healing skin.
A nose piercing typically ranks around a 4-7 out of 10 on the pain scale, varying by person and location; nostril piercings are often a quick, sharp pinch (around 4-6/10), while septum piercings can feel intense but brief (around 6-7/10), especially if the cartilage is thick, though it's generally considered manageable and quick to heal.
Getting a second ear piercing can be a captivating way to enhance your look. With a variety of locations to choose from, adding a unique and personal touch to your ear style couldn't be easier.
Swimmer's ear is a bacterial infection caused by water that stays in the outer ear canal for a long period of time, providing a moist environment for bacteria to multiply. Children are more likely to get swimmer's ear than adults, but it can affect anyone.
Treatment for swimmer's ear
When water enters your ears, it can remain for a couple of days before making its way out. On the other hand, if your earwax barrier is compromised and not properly protecting your ear canal, water can remain longer. The warm-humid environment of your ear canal also accelerates the risk of bacteria growth.