Prevent Swimmer’s Ear This Summer

Summer is here, which means more time for fun in the sun at the beach and the pool. While swimming can be a wonderful exercise, it’s important to be mindful of a very common, yet painful infection - swimmer’s ear.

What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is a common infection of the outer ear canal running between the eardrum and the opening to the outer ear. This infection is frequently caused by excess water in the ear, which creates a moist environment and aids in bacterial growth. Other factors that may cause infection include scratches or abrasions in the ear canal, or skin reactions and allergies. Prompt treatment of swimmer's ear can prevent further complications.

What are the symptoms of swimmer’s ear?

Symptoms of swimmer’s ear are generally mild at first, but can potentially worsen if your infection isn’t properly treated or if it spreads. Common symptoms include:

• Itching and slight redness inside the ear
• Pain when you touch your ear
• Mild to severe discomfort made worse by pulling on your outer ear
• Drainage of clear fluid
• Decreased or muffled hearing

More severe symptoms include pain radiating to the face, neck or side of the head, fever, complete blockage of the ear canal and swelling of the neck’s lymph nodes.

How is swimmer’s ear treated?

Swimmer’s ear can be treated by avoiding further water exposure, applying heat to the affected ear, and using over-the-counter pain relievers and nonprescription ear drops. Try to avoid scratching and applying pressure to the ear because this can make the infection worse. Medical treatment is also available for swimmer’s ear, including prescription medications, proper cleaning the affected area by an audiologist, and at times, antibiotics, topical remedies, or anti-inflammatory agents.

How can I prevent swimmer’s ear?

The best way to prevent swimmer's ear is to keep your ears dry.

• Immediately following time in the water, gently dry both ears with a towel.
• After swimming, tilt your head to drain water from your ears. Pull on your earlobe to straighten out your ear canal and let the water out.
• Wear earplugs if you swim a lot. Your audiologist can make custom molds that fit your ears.
• Use over-the-counter ear drops with a drying agent after swimming.
• Avoid placing objects in the ear, such as cotton-tipped applicators (Q-tips) to prevent further trauma to the ear and the ear canal.

If you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear, contact the Pennsylvania Ear Institute to make an appointment with an audiologist.