By Dr. Peter Casano
Now that temperatures are climbing, swimming pools, lakes and rivers will provide a welcome escape from the heat. But for some people, the fun could turn into an unwelcome reminder of their day in the water. Swimmer’s ear is a common and painful condition that affects the outer ear canal. Although swimmer’s ear often is associated with swimming, other culprits can cause this condition as well.
WHAT IS SWIMMER’S EAR?
Swimmer’s ear is an inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal. The ear canal runs from the eardrum to the outside of the head. Typically, swimmer’s ear occurs when water becomes trapped in the ear canal. This trapped water creates the perfect moist environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. People who swim in fresh water, such as pools, lakes and rivers, have an increased risk of developing swimmer’s ear.
Outside of swimming, there are other issues that can cause swimmer’s ear, such as overusing cotton swabs or other objects to remove earwax. Earwax is designed to protect the ear canal from bacteria. Removing too much earwax can irritate the delicate skin of the ear canal and expose the ear to potential infection.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Ear pain is a common symptom of swimmer’s ear. The intense pain usually worsens when pulling on the earlobe or moving the jaw. The infected ear canal may feel itchy, and the outer ear may appear red and swollen. There might be discharge or drainage coming from the ear. The ear also will become tender to the touch. As the infection gets worse, people may experience temporary hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in the ear. Some people also may experience a slight fever and swollen lymph nodes.
It takes a medical professional to diagnose swimmer’s ear. They will check the ear for redness or swelling, as well as test any of the fluid that is draining from the ear. If a checkup confirms that you have swimmer’s ear, the doctor will prescribe ear drops that contain antibiotics to treat the infection. These drops help eliminate the infection and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be used to help with the pain. While undergoing treatment, it’s important to keep the affected ear dry. If you plan on swimming, wear a swim cap or waterproof earplugs. At home, use a shower cap when bathing. Most people diagnosed with swimmer’s ear feel better in about a week.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT SWIMMER’S EAR?
There are several strategies for trying to prevent swimmer’s ear, but they typically don’t need to be undertaken unless someone has a history of developing this condition frequently. One option is an ear drop called Swim-EAR, which is a dry alcohol with a moisturizer. Its purpose is to get water out of the ear by helping it evaporate. This product is not recommended if you already have developed an infection or have tenderness.
The most common measure recommended for swimmer’s ear prevention is to rinse your ears out with a vinegar-water solution after swimming. A small syringe can be used to rinse out the ear with a 1:1 solution. This solution has a role in killing the bacteria, as well as removing any debris, wax or leftover water. This mixture should not cause pain if there is inflammation in the eardrum. Other remedies, such as peroxide or rubbing alcohol, are not recommended.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of swimmer’s ear. If you have ear pain, itchiness, discharge, hearing loss or decreased hearing, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Dr. Peter Casano specializes in otolaryngology at Ochsner Health, which offers multiple locations to make it easy to get care close to home. Reach him at (228) 220-5200 or visit ochsner.org to learn more.