(HealthDayNews) -- Swimmer's Ear is caused when contaminated water gets into the ear. The resulting infection can be extremely itchy and painful, so knowing how to prevent it may save you a lot of misery.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these healthy swimming tips:

• Dry your ears after swimming.
• Ask the person who oversees the pool about the chlorine and pH-testing program. Pools and hot tubs with good chlorine and pH control are unlikely to spread Swimmer's Ear.
• Don't swim in locations that have been closed because of pollution.
• Avoid putting objects in you ear (fingers, cotton swabs) that may scratch the ear canal and provide a site for infection.

If you think you have Swimmer's Ear, speak to your doctor. You can treat the infection with antibiotic drops.