Inflammation of the outer ear
Water in the ear canal can lead to a skin infection
Swimmer's ear is the popular name for a bacterial infection of the skin lining the ear canal, and it can be extremely painful. Also known as otitis externa, it affects millions of people every year, children in particular.
How does it happen?
Put simply, it is caused by contaminated water becoming trapped in the ear canal, which leads to an infection of the skin.
All water contains bacteria, even swimming pools. However, bacteria are far more abundant in lakes, rivers and oceans, especially when the weather is warmer. When this bacteria-laden water does not drain properly from the ear canal, it becomes trapped. In the warm, moist environment of the ear canal, the bacteria multiply and cause an infection.
The infection causes swelling and inflammation. Because the ear canal is narrow, the resulting swelling and pain can be excruciating.
Otitis externa
Swimmer's ear, also known as
otitis externa , is an infection of the ear canal associated with moisture in the ear.
Severe pain
It causes a feeling of fullness in the ear, intense ear pain and sometimes discharge.
Treatment
The infection will not clear up on its own. Medical treatment with ear drops or a cream containing antibiotics and steroids is usually required.
More common in summer and among children
Cases of swimmer's ear rise during the summer, with almost half of all cases occurring between June and August. It is also more common in children, who have narrower ear canals, so water becomes trapped more easily. However, it can affect people of any age, particularly frequent swimmers.
Hearing aids and earphones
You do not have to be a swimmer to develop it, though. Sometimes it is enough simply to live in a hot and humid climate for moisture to build up and become trapped, especially if you wear hearing aids or earphones.
Please note : swimmer's ear is different from a middle ear infection, which is also common in children but usually develops after an upper respiratory tract infection and affects a different part of the ear.
Early symptoms include a blocked feeling in the ears and muffled hearing. If left untreated, severe pain, swelling and discharge usually develop.
Symptoms include:
- Swelling and sometimes discharge
- Ear pain, often intense
- Swelling and sometimes discharge
What is the treatment?
Anyone with a suspected ear infection should seek professional medical care. The infection will not clear up on its own. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection, according to guidance from the American Medical Association.
Mild cases can generally be treated with ear drops or a cream containing an antibiotic and a steroid. The antibiotic kills the bacteria, while the steroid reduces the painful swelling.
If the infection penetrates deeper into the skin, oral antibiotics may be required. Once treatment begins, you will start to feel better within a few days. It is important to complete the full course of treatment even after you feel better, in order to prevent the infection from returning.
How to use ear drops
Using ear drops can be a little tricky. In the AMA guidance, paediatrician Douglas Eisert, MD, recommends the following steps to make sure the medication reaches the infection:
“Lie on your side or tilt your head towards the opposite ear before inserting the drops. Place the drops into the ear canal,” he explained. The next thing to bear in mind is to “stay on your side for three to five minutes so that the drops can coat your entire ear canal”.
Finally, “consider placing a cotton ball in the ear to keep the drops in the canal,” he said.
Keep the ears dry
To allow the infection to heal, doctors usually recommend not swimming for two weeks. In addition to avoiding swimming (if children must swim, use earplugs and a headband), the ears should be kept dry while washing or showering throughout the course of treatment; earplugs or cotton wool with petroleum jelly should be used to keep moisture away from the ear.
Habits that can increase the risk of swimmer's ear
Earwax is protective. Removing earwax unnecessarily can lead to an increased risk of infection. In some cases, impacted earwax can be problematic, but follow your doctor's instructions on how to deal with it.
Any trauma or scratch to the skin of the ear canal can provide an entry point for bacteria. People at higher risk of swimmer's ear include those who use cotton buds or Q-Tips in their ears, those who scratch their ears frequently, and those with eczema or psoriasis. Itching in the ear is not normal.
Can swimmer's ear cause permanent hearing loss?
Fortunately, the symptoms of swimmer's ear, including hearing loss, are temporary and improve with treatment.
Can swimmer's ear cause ringing in the ears?
Sometimes a noise may occur in the affected ear, known as ringing in the ears (tinnitus). This, too, is usually temporary and improves with treatment.
How can swimmer's ear be prevented?
The best way to reduce your chances of developing swimmer's ear is to take a few simple precautions:
- Do not allow trapped water to remain in the ear.
- Dry your ears with a towel after swimming.
- Tilt your head to each side to allow excess water to drain out.
- Use earplugs or a swimming band when you swim, especially in lakes, pools, rivers or the sea.
- Do not insert anything into the ears, and in particular avoid using cotton buds to clean them.
- A hairdryer on its lowest setting can be used to help dry moisture in the ear.
If you or your child develops swimmer's ear, your summer fun does not have to end. Seeing your doctor or a hearing care professional to start treatment straight away will not only relieve the discomfort but also get you back in the water before long. To find a clinic near you, visit our consumer-reviewed directory.