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By Martha Jablow, HealthAtoZ contributing writer
When water gets trapped in your ear canal, it can cause an uncomfortable condition called swimmer's ear or "otitis externa." This common infection occurs most often with swimmers, but you can also get it from bathing or showering.
Bacteria that normally live in your ear canal and on the skin can multiply in a damp ear canal and cause infection and irritation. The most common symptoms are mild to moderate pain and an itchy ear.
Other symptoms may include:
- A feeling that your ear is blocked or full
- Watery or thick drainage from the ear
- Fever
- Decreased hearing
- Pain, especially when you move your jaw or pull on your ear lobe
- Swollen lymph nodes
A swimmer's ear infection can spread to nearby tissues, such as the outer ear, cartilage and bone. This causes more pain and can be life-threatening. Older people and people with diabetes have a higher risk of this occurring.
Treatment
Call your doctor at once if you think you have swimmer's ear. Your doctor may prescribe eardrops to fight infection and reduce inflammation.
If your ear canal is swollen shut, a sponge or wick may be placed in the ear canal so drops can reach the infected areas. In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed.
Symptoms usually improve within one to three days. You may need a follow-up exam after seven to 10 days. Your doctor may tell you to wait to go swimming until the symptoms are gone.
Prevention
The best way to prevent swimmer's ear is to keep your ears dry. Ears free of moisture are less likely to become infected. After you shower, turn your head side to side and gently pull on your earlobes to help water run out of your ears.
Do not use cotton swabs (Q-tips®). They can push material deeper into your ear canal, remove protective earwax and irritate the thin skin of the ear canal. This creates a perfect setup for infection.
If you tend to have itchy, flaky ears or extensive earwax, you're more likely to develop swimmer's ear. In that case, it can be helpful to have your doctor clean your ears from time to time.
You can also use over-the-counter drops, such as Auro-Dri® or Swim-Ear®, to help prevent swimmer's ear. You can also make your own solution to use before you swim. To do this, mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Don't use these products if you have an infection or the eardrum is injured.
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