by | Jun 30, 2024 | Healthy Living
What Should I Know About Swimmer’s Ear?
Summer is the perfect time to hit the pool or enjoy a dip in the ocean, but with all that swimming comes the risk of swimmer’s ear. Also known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear is an infection in the outer ear canal often caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming. This can create a moist environment ideal for bacterial growth. Understanding swimmer’s ear, knowing how to prevent it, and learning about effective treatments can help ensure that your summer fun isn’t interrupted by ear pain and discomfort.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal typically caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming or bathing, creating a moist environment ideal for bacterial growth. It can also result from damage to the protective layer of the ear canal due to excessive cleaning or insertion of foreign objects. Common causes include certain types of bacteria, and less frequently, fungi. While swimming is a frequent trigger, any activity that introduces moisture or irritants into the ear canal can potentially lead to this condition.
Common symptoms of swimmer’s ear include:
- Itching inside the ear or on the outer ear
- Redness and swelling of the ear canal
- Ear pain, which may worsen when pulling on the outer ear or chewing
- Drainage of clear, odorless fluid
- Muffled hearing or temporary hearing loss
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
How Can I Prevent Swimmer’s Ear?
There is no doubt that swimmer’s ear can be a pain, but the good news is that with the proper care, it can be avoided. Paying attention to your ears and how they feel after being near water is the best place to begin.
Whenever you are done swimming or bathing, be sure to dry your ears well. By tipping your head toward your shoulder and giving a gentle tug on your ear lobe, you can free water that may be stuck in the narrow ear canal. If you still feel as if water is stuck in your ear, you can hold a blow dryer at least 6” away from your ear, setting it to its coolest and lowest setting to try and dry it. Try to avoid the use of cotton-tipped swabs because they can damage your ear and remove the protective wax layer that protects against bacteria.
If you struggle with excess water in your ears, avoid polluted water or water that isn’t properly balanced chemically, and use a swimmer’s cap or ear plugs to keep it out. For bathing, do your best to avoid putting your ears under the water. If you experience pain, try over-the-counter pain relievers.
Some common home remedies:
Make a vinegar solution:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol
- Put a few drops in each ear after swimming
- This can help prevent bacterial growth and restore pH balance
Apply a warm compress:
- Hold a warm, damp washcloth against the affected ear
- Garlic oil has natural antimicrobial properties:
- Warm a few drops of garlic oil and put them in the affected ear
If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional, as untreated swimmer’s ear can lead to complications.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Severe ear pain that worsens or does not improve
- Drainage of pus or fluid from the ear
- Hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in the ear
- Redness or swelling of the outer ear
- Fever
- Pain that extends to the face, neck, or side of the head
If you experience any of the symptoms above, make a quick trip to AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne for a same-day appointment, personalized treatment, and fast relief and find your path back to good health.
