Swimmer’s Ear
Summer is here! This often means increased time spent at the beach, the pool, sprinklers, more water balloon fights, and more water-related activities than usual. Unlike a middle ear infection (from a cold virus or bacterial infection), swimmer’s ear is a skin infection in the lining of the ear canal.
What causes swimmer's ear?
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is inflammation or infection of your outer (external) ear canal, where you might put a Q-tip (or a finger). It’s different from infections caused by colds, which affect the middle ear (otitis media). When water stays in the ear canal for extended periods of time, bacteria or fungi are more likely to multiply and cause infection. Swimmer’s ear is not contagious, but it is very painful.
What are the symptoms of swimmer's ear?
Swimmer’s ear is painful, even to the touch. Wiggling of the ear, or even trying to put an earring into a pierced earlobe can cause discomfort. Other symptoms include:
1. Redness of the outer ear, or swelling of the ear canal
2. Yellow discharge, often that smells badly
3. Muffled hearing or a plugged-up feeling in the ear
4. Rarely, fever
How is swimmer's ear treated?
Treatment depends on how severe the infection is. A health care provider might prescribe antibiotic ear drops. Home remedies include white vinegar drops to the ear canal. It’s very important that the ear canal is kept dry.
Once treatment starts, improvement is usually noted within 1 to 2 days and the infection is usually gone within 7 days. Swimming, if important to your child’s schedule, can continue but again, remember that keeping the ear clean and dry afterwards is crucial.
Can swimmer's ear be prevented?
Keeping the ear dry is not only important while treating swimmer’s ear, but also to help prevent infection in the first place. Prevent infection after spending time in the water by:
1. Tilting your head to each side to help drain water out of the ears.
2. Pulling the downward facing earlobe in different directions to have gravity help with the drainage.
3. Gently drying inside the canals with the edge of a towel covering the pinky. Do not use Q Tips.
Over-the-counter drops of a dilute solution of acetic acid or alcohol can also be used to prevent infection in the ears after swimming. These drops are available without a prescription. Please note that any child with myringotomy tubes should avoid drops and follow the recommendations from their pediatrician or ENT.
