Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)
Topic Overview
What is swimmer's ear?
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal
, the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. This condition is called swimmer's ear because it commonly occurs in people who have been swimming. But other people can get it too.
What causes swimmer's ear?
You can get swimmer's ear when bacteria, yeast, or fungus grow in your ear canal. This happens when water, sand, or other small debris irritates the delicate skin in the ear canal. Other things that can irritate the ear canal include hearing aids, lots of ear cleaning, and eczema of the ear canal.
Swimmer's ear is more likely if you have a very narrow or hairy ear canal; live in a warm, humid climate; have earwax blocking the ear canal; have lots of ear infections; or have eczema or dry skin. If you have had swimmer's ear in the past, you are more likely to get it again.
What are the symptoms?
Swimmer's ear can be very painful. The pain can get worse when you touch the earlobe or another part of the outer ear or when you chew. Other symptoms can include itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and a yellowish or brownish discharge from the ear. Your ear canal may be swollen. In severe cases, the outer ear can be red and swollen too.
If you have diabetes or take medicine that suppresses your immune system, swimmer's ear can cause severe problems. Call your doctor right away.
If you think you have swimmer's ear, call your doctor to find the best way to treat it.
How is swimmer's ear diagnosed?
A doctor can usually tell whether you have swimmer's ear by looking into your ear and asking questions about your symptoms.
How is it treated?
Follow these tips when treating swimmer's ear:
- Use antibiotic ear drops as directed by your doctor.
- Do not put ear drops (other than the antibiotic ear drops) or anything else into your ear unless your doctor has told you to.
- Avoid getting water in the ear until after the problem clears up. Make an earplug out of cotton that is lightly coated with petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Do not use plastic earplugs. Plastic earplugs can make your ears hurt and itch, and they can push earwax deeper into the ear.
- Use a hair dryer to carefully dry the ear after you shower.
- To ease ear pain, hold a warm, moist face cloth against your ear. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give ASA to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a serious illness.
In severe cases, the ear canal should be carefully cleaned out by an ear specialist. Occasionally if the ear can is very swollen, a wick with antibiotic drops will be placed in the ear canal.
Do not use ear candles. They have no proven benefit, and they can cause harm.
How can you prevent swimmer's ear?
You may be able to prevent swimmer's ear.
- Do not scratch or clean the inside of the ear with cotton swabs, bobby pins, your fingernails, or other objects.
- Avoid prolonged use of earplugs. Earplugs, like cotton swabs, can cause irritation and itching and can plug the ear with wax.
- Keep soap, bubble bath, and shampoo out of the ear canal. These products can cause itching and irritation.
- Keep your ears dry.
- After you swim or shower, shake your head to remove water from the ear canal.
- Gently dry your ears with the corner of a tissue or towel, or use a hair dryer on its lowest setting. Hold the dryer several inches away from the ear.
- Put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol mixed with an equal amount of white vinegar in your ears after you swim or shower. You can also use over-the-counter drops, such as Star-Otic, to help prevent swimmer's ear. Wiggle the outside of the ear to let the liquid enter the ear canal, and then tilt your head to let it drain out.
- Do not swim in dirty or polluted water.
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| Author: | Ralph Poore Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: December 14, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology | |
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