Swimmer’s Ear
What is swimmer’s ear?
Swimmer’s ear(otitis externa)is the term used to describe inflammation or infection of the canal between the eardrum and the outer ear. It’s different from the common ear infection (middle ear infection) which occurs deeper in the ear, behind the eardrum. Anyone can develop swimmer’s ear although it’s more common in children and early teenagers.
Also known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear usually improves quickly with treatment. You can also take precautions to prevent swimmer’s ear.
What are the symptoms of swimmer’s ear?
Typical symptoms of swimmer’s ear include:
a painful outer ear which may worsen by moving the head, pulling at the ear or chewing
itching in the ear canal
a swollen or red ear canal
a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
a squelching or popping sound when you move your ear or jaw
reduced or muffled hearing
buzzing or humming inside the ear
discharge from the ear that may be clear and watery or look like pus
What causes swimmer’s ear?
This type of infection is known as swimmer’s ear because it usually occurs when water remains in the ear canal — something common in swimmers. However, several factors can cause this condition, including:
Water — Water sitting in the ear canal creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth which can lead to infection. However, the risk is higher if the water is dirty or chlorinated.
Damage to the ear — Cleaning the ear with fingernails, cotton buds or other objects may damage the ear tissue and cause infection, as can wearing hearing aids or earbuds.
Chemicals — Products such as shampoos, hair dyes and hairspray may irritate the ear tissue, leading to infection.
Middle ear infection — This can trigger swimmer’s ear.
Diabetes — People with diabetes can have earwax that is too alkaline, meaning it’s more prone to infection.
Folliculitis — This is when hair follicles within the ear become inflamed or infected.
Narrow ear canals — People with narrow ear canals are more prone to swimmer’s ear as water can’t drain from them properly.
How is swimmer’s ear diagnosed?
Your doctor will be able to diagnose swimmer’s ear with a physical examination. They may also check your eardrum to make sure it’s not torn or damaged.
Complications of swimmer’s ear
Most of the time swimmer’s ear doesn’t cause too many problems. However, potential complications include:
temporary hearing loss
recurrent or persistent infections (chronic otitis externa)
narrowing of ear canals caused by scar tissue as a result of recurrent infections
infection spreading to the facial tissues causing pain and swelling
deep tissue infection (cellulitis), although this is rare.
Another rare but serious complication is when the infection spreads to the bones and cartilage of the skull causing severe pain. Without treatment, the infection may spread to the brain and cranial nerves. People with weakened immune systems are more at risk of this complication.
How is swimmer’s ear treated?
Treatment for most cases of swimmer’s ear is fairly simple and involves applying prescribed medicated ear drops to the ear. (It’s easier if you get someone else to do this for you!). Usually, symptoms begin to improve in one to three days.
You can also use heatpacks or over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers to relieve any pain.
During this time, you should also avoid:
getting your ear canal wet — you may need to avoid swimming and use a shower cap while showering
inserting anything into your ear canal
touching or scratching your ear
For more serious cases of infection, your doctor may need to insert a small length of gauze (called a wick) into the ear canal to help deliver medications to treat the infection.
How to prevent swimmer’s ear
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of developing swimmer’s ear. These include:
avoid swimming in dirty or polluted water
wear earplugs when swimming
tilt your head to the side to remove as much water from your ears after swimming
thoroughly dry your ears after swimming — you can even use a hairdryer on low heat to do this
use cotton balls in your ears when using hairspray or hair dye
avoid putting foreign objects in your ear
be careful when putting your fingers in your ears as your nails may scratch your ear canal
after swimming, use ear drops with ingredients that help to displace water in the ear and correct the PH; your Pharmacist will be able to suggest which drops to use
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect you have swimmer’s ear, or experience any kind of ear pain, visit your doctor so they can diagnose the problem and ensure you receive the proper treatment.
If you have swimmer’s ear and experience symptoms such as dizziness or muscular weakness in your face, seek immediate help as this is a medical emergency.
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is available to help you manage your health. Speak to your MediADVICE Pharmacist about your symptoms so we can recommend products and medications that may be suitable for you, or refer you to a doctor if necessary.
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