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Swimmers Ear

During the Summer months, swimmers ear (otitis externa), labyrinthitis, middle and outer ear infections seem to rise. This is some information you may need about ear aches, ear pain, and what you can do to prevent your child from getting water in the ears.

What Is It?

You can find some current health articles about swimmers ear. This affects the outer ear and is a condition from inflammation, infection, or irritation of the ear canal and results in pain. When water gets in your ear the bacteria spread throughout the ear canal causing possible ear drainage and ear pain.

This is a common complaint of swimmers and usually affects children and teenagers, but can be caused by excessive earwax.

Causes

The most common cause of these kinds of ear problems is that water or moisture, either from bathing, showering, swimming, etc...get trapped in the ear canal.

This environment is perfect for bacteria to grow and multiply. Any ear problems should be treated by your health care provider as chronic ear infections may have a long term effect on hearing. Your provider will probably prescribe ear drops to clear up any infection.

Contributing Factors

A cut or scrape inside the ear canal

Damage to the ear canal when ear wax was being removed

Excessive swimming

Excessive bathing or showering

Excessive use of hair spray or hair dye (Use cotton balls as a good ear plug)

Excessive use of cotton swabs to clear the ear canal out

Contact with bacteria in a swimming pool or Hot Tub that is not properly sanitized

Signs and Symptoms

Most of the time you'll experience the symptoms of itchiness and/or moderate pain inside the ear canal that hurts more when the Auricle (outer ear) is pulled.

Other signs may include:

Ear drainage

Fever

Feeling like the ear canal is blocked

Reduced hearing

Swollen lymph nodes on the back of your neck

Swelling and redness around

If left untreated, swimmers ear could result in:

Hearing loss

More ear infections

Cartidge and bone damage

Treatment

Always consult your health care provider. Keeping the ear canal clean to inhibit bacterial growth is important.

Prevention

Use ear plugs or get some custom ear plugs made specifically for your ear canal

Have your ears cleaned by a qualified Otolaryngologist for itchy scaly ears, or excessive earwax

Only use a clean dry towel or hair dryer to dry your ears

Don't ever use cotton swabs or stick anything inside your ear as this may cause a cut inside the ear canal or may pack the earwax or dirt further inside the ear which is a perfect place for bacteria to grow.

Otitis externa should not be confused with Labyrinthitis. This usually affects the whole inner ear and is always attributed to an infection.

Swimmers ear can be a painful experience but not to worry. If caught early and with proper treatment, it shouldn't cause any lasting issues.

Obviously this is for information purposes only. This is not medical advice and should not be taken as such.

If you do have an ear infection or swimmers ear the best thing to do is get to your health care provider that can handle your situation.

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