Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is a bacterial ear infection caused by water staying in the outer ear canal for too long. The resulting redness, swelling (inflammation), and pain are disruptive, and the symptoms require medical care to clear up.
Swimmer’s ear is most common among children, but it can affect people of any age.
If you’re a big fan of the water, then you may find yourself spending much more time outdoors throughout the summer. That also means you could be at a higher risk of swimmer’s ear, a common condition that can lead to infection.
Our ear care experts are always here to diagnose and treat any problems you have with your ears. Before you schedule an appointment, this post will help you learn more about what causes swimmer’s ear and introduce potential treatment options.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Also called otitis externa, swimmer’s ear is an infection caused by trapped water in your outer ear canal.
The outer ear (external auditory meatus) connects your eardrum to the rest of your body; it picks up soundwaves and sends them to your inner ear, so you can hear the world around you.
When water gets trapped in this part of your ear, bacteria and fungi can begin to grow, leading to infection.
Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
Below are some of the symptoms someone with swimmer’s ear might experience:
Redness. The outside of your child’s ear can appear red and warm to the touch.
Itching inside of the ear. The growth of bacteria and fungi can cause the inner ear to feel chronically itchy.
Feeling of fullness in the ear. With moisture trapped in the ear canal, as well as inflammation from the infection, it’s common for swimmer’s ear to make people feel as though their ear is blocked.
Reduced hearing. The swollen ear canal can reduce hearing in the affected ear.
Drainage. The infected ear may produce a foul-smelling liquid with a yellow or greenish tint.
Ear pain. Swimmer’s ear tends to become more painful without treatment; you may have a dull earache or notice the pain worsens when you apply any pressure to your ear. Wearing earbuds or headphones can cause pain.
A low-grade fever. Slight fevers are a common response of the immune system to help the body fight off infection.
Swollen lymph nodes near your ear. Lymph nodes are special sacks that help drain bacteria and germs away from your body; they are likely to become swollen and tender to the touch if you have swimmer’s ear.
How to Avoid Swimmer’s Ear
Although you may be reading this article because you already have symptoms of swimmer’s ear, we would like to cover some of the ways you can avoid this common ear infection in the future.
Our Nashville ear care specialists are always eager to help patients better understand and care for their bodies.
Keep your ears as dry as possible when you go swimming
Avoid submerging your head completely underwater when you can, especially in natural bodies of water where bacteria is most common
Use ear drops after swimming
Dry ears gently, possibly using a suction tool if necessary. Do not put Q-tips or any other pointed objects into your ears as this can push wax and bacteria further into the ear canal. It can also cause a ruptured eardrum.
How do you Treat Swimmer’s Ear?
The most common treatment for swimmer’s ear is an antibacterial medication. A doctor can prescribe one to you after taking a look inside your ear and determining whether it is infected. The doctor may also take a sample of any drainage your ear has to test what type of fungi or bacteria is present in the fluid.
It’s important to know whether your swimmer’s ear is caused by fungus or bacteria to determine which type of medication you need to get better.
The same diagnostic process applies for children. Our pediatric ENT team will carefully assess your child, determine the cause of their symptoms, and prescribe the appropriate treatment based on what we find.
Treating swimmer’s ear by yourself isn’t possible because the bacteria and/or fungi will likely not clear up without proper care. However, you may be able to take over-the-counter pain relievers recommended by a doctor along with your prescription treatment.
Contact Our Nashville ENT and Allergy Center for Your Next Appointment
Do you think you have swimmer’s ear? Are you worried your child has an ear infection? Book an appointment with one of our passionate, friendly physicians so we can help you get the treatment you need.
