Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear caused by bacteria or fungi, often from swimming or excessive moisture. Symptoms include pain, redness, and itchiness in the ear, and it can be prevented with earplugs and proper ear cleaning. Treatment includes medicated drops or oral antibiotics.
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear, which can sometimes develop into a middle ear infection (otitis media). Typically when the condition is present on its own it is called otitis externa because it involves infection of the outside of the ear canal and can also cause skin irritation on the outer or visible part of the ear. While some people may only notice pain, usually in a single ear, others may have red, irritated, or itchy skin on the outside of the ear.
Generally, the ear is resistant to infection when liquid, such as water, is introduced. Most water simply flows out of the ear, although people can go from a few minutes to a couple of hours feeling like their ear is clogged with water. In some cases, especially when a lot of water has been introduced into the ear through activities such as swimming, the moisture from this additional water can cause bacteria or fungi to grow. Hence the term swimmer’s ear is used to describe the condition, although it is not always obtained from swimming.
Swimmer’s ear symptoms can include mild to extreme pain. In particular, you may notice if you touch or move your ear that it really hurts. The outer ear may itch or appear red, and you may feel as if the ear is full of water. Some people have trouble hearing in the affected ear and others may notice a small amount of pus coming out of the ear.
Many people may never get swimmer’s ear, which can be caused by a number of different factors. Again, it’s not always related to swimming, but when it is, one of two conditions could be present. The water you swim in can be contaminated with bacteria, which can create the condition, or in other cases, simply too much exposure to water in your ears causes the infection. Children are especially prone to swimmer’s ear, and people with conditions like eczema may also be more likely to get the condition. If you have a lot of wax buildup in your ears, this can trap moisture, making bacterial infection more likely.
Another type of otitis externa is not related to swimming. If you clean your ear with cotton swabs, some of the cotton can break off and create swimmer’s ear. In any case, you should never clean anything other than the outside of your ear with things like Q-tips®. If small objects are inserted into the ear, serious damage to the eardrum can occur.
Swimmer’s ear is usually diagnosed by examination with an otoscope. Some doctors may do ear cultures to confirm infection, but in most cases they don’t. For simple otitis externa, medicated drops are usually prescribed, which help resolve the condition within a few days to a few weeks. If the middle ear has become infected, a doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics.
It is better to prevent swimmer’s ear than having to suffer the pain of the condition and pay for treatment. You can purchase earplugs designed to keep water from entering your ears during extended swimming. You should also practice cleaning with earwax remover if you have a lot of earwax buildup. After swimming or bathing, dry the outside of the ear, but do not use Q-tips® to dry the inside of the ear. Some people prefer to use alcohol-based drops such as Swim-Ear®:, which can help create more evaporation of water trapped in the ear.
If you have chronic ear infections, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about other prevention strategies. Also, if you notice the signs of swimmer’s ear, especially if it’s your first time, see a doctor for diagnosis. Some people get the condition quite regularly and always have drops on hand if the condition develops. Others only get the condition on rare occasions and some lucky people never get it. In any case, unless you have these infections chronically, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis if you develop the above symptoms, even if you haven’t been swimming.
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