Is that pain in your ear swimmer’s ear or something else? How to diagnose it...

Swimmer’s ear hurts! But so does a sinus infection...

There is a way to help you determine what’s causing that pain in your ear. Grab the edge of your ear and gently pull up and back. If the pain gets worse – it’s probably swimmer’s ear. If that tug relieves the pain, it could be a sinus infection or another condition such as TMJ, and you’ll need to see a doctor for that.

If you are stuck with swimmer’s ear, skip the Q-Tips! They’ll only make matters worse. Use ibuprofen and apply a warm compress to ease the pain. You’ll most likely be able to treat the condition with over-the-counter drops.