Fewer Earaches and More Fun: Your Summer Guide to Swimmer's Ear
Photo by Yulianto Poitier: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-and-three-children-playing-water-1231365/
The time of year that we anxiously anticipated during the coldest winter days has finally arrived—it's Summer! The delights of warm weather are upon us—spring bonfires, summer barbecues, and late nights of fun. As we Texans know, winter swiftly turns to spring, then we blink and it's 104 degrees. It’s time to jump into the pool, cool off at water parks, and run through splash pads. As you pack up your swim bags with sunscreen, towels, and water bottles, here are a few essential things to know about swimmer's ear.
What is Swimmer's Ear?
We all have an ear canal, which is the tube leading from the outer ear to the eardrum. The combination of water exposure and moisture accumulation in the ear canal can create a perfect environment for bacterial or fungal growth. Otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, is when the bacteria or fungus causes an infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal. Even though we use the term “swimmer’s ear”, the infection frequently occurs in non-swimmers as well.
What are the Common Causes of Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer's ear typically stems from exposure to water during activities such as swimming or bathing. When water becomes trapped in the ear canal, it disrupts the ear wax and skin lining that normally protect against infection. This disruption creates an environment where bacteria or fungi can thrive and lead to an infection.
The term "swimmer's ear" reflects the fact that water—whether chlorinated pool water or water from natural sources—can introduce harmful pathogens into the ear canal, potentially causing infection. Prolonged exposure to water can wash away the protective ear wax lining, leaving the ear vulnerable to infection. The moisture trapped in the ear canal also provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, further increasing the risk of developing swimmer's ear.
Six Common Symptoms and Signs of Swimmer’s Ear
Ear pain, which can range from mild discomfort to severe and sharp pain.
Itchiness inside the ear canal.
Redness and swelling of the ear canal.
Drainage from the ear may be clear, cloudy, yellowish, or pus-like and sometimes have a foul odor. Pus-like drainage may indicate a bacterial infection, while clear or water discharge may indicate a fungal infection.
The feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.
Decreased hearing or sensation of muffled sounds.
There are significant differences between infections due to bacteria and those due to fungi. Bacterial otitis externa causes significantly more pain, swelling and redness. Fungal outer ear infections usually are noted to have more itching and much less pain. The difference is important because if you treat a fungal infection with oral antibiotics or antibacterial eardrops, it just gets worse.
What are Other Risk Factors that Contribute to Swimmer’s Ear?
Otitis externa is commonly associated with swimming, but there are other risk factors to watch for like humid environments, improper ear cleaning, skin conditions, ear trauma, ear canal obstruction, and foreign bodies in the ear.
Humidity can create a moist environment in the ear canal, promoting bacterial or fungal growth.
Excessive cleaning of the ear canal or using items like cotton swabs, hairpins, or fingernails to remove earwax can irritate the ear canal lining, which is very delicate. This increases the risk of infection.
Eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions affecting the ear canal can also compromise the delicate skin’s integrity, making it more susceptible to infection.
Ear trauma like scratches or abrasions inside the ear canal allows entry points for bacteria or fungi. Trauma can result from improper ear cleaning or inserting objects into the ear.
Ear canal obstruction from narrow ear canals or anatomical abnormalities can contribute to the development of swimmer’s ear. These types of obstructions don’t allow proper drainage of moisture and earwax.
Foreign bodies in the ear like earbuds or hearing aids can introduce bacteria or fungi and increase the risk of infection.
Follow these Tips to Prevent and Treat Swimmer’s Ear
Because bacteria and fungi enjoy moist and humid conditions, it’s important to properly dry your ears after swimming. The goal is to prevent moisture buildup and reduce the risk of swimmer’s ear.
Prevent the perfect growing conditions by taking the following actions —
Keep water out of your ears by covering them with a shower cap or use waterproof ear plugs designed to prevent water from entering your ears.
When you have water in your ears, start by tilting your head to the side to let water drain naturally from the ear canal.
Gently tug on your earlobe or wiggle the ear to help the water drain out.
Use a soft towel to pat the outer ear and around the ear canal. Don’t insert the towel or any objects into the ear canal.
Use a hairdryer on the lowest, cool setting and hold about arm’s length away from the ear. Move the hairdryer back and forth to evaporate any remaining moisture.
Another option is to use ear drops if you are prone to swimmer’s ear. Consult a medical professional before using swimmer’s ear drops if you have a perforated eardrum, have had ear tubes placed, or any other ear conditions. Over-the-counter ear drops are designed to dry excess moisture from the ear canal. Be sure to follow the product instructions on the label.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
Seek the advice of a medical professional when…
Symptoms like prolonged or worsening ear pain, redness, itching, or drainage persist after a few days of home treatment.
If you experience severe ear pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers.
You develop a fever along with ear symptoms, which may indicate a more serious infection.
Spreading infection as indicated by swelling around the ear, neck pain, or facial swelling. This may be a sign of the infection spreading beyond the ear canal.
If you have underlying health conditions like a weakened immune system, diabetes, or other chronic medical conditions that may increase the risk of complications from swimmer’s ear.
You may need antibiotics when…
The doctor performs an exam and suspects or confirms that the swimmer’s ear is caused by a bacterial infection.
There is significant drainage from the ear.
The infection has spread from the ear canal and may be severe.
Symptoms persist after several days of using over-the-counter ear drops or other home remedies.
Be aware of how to prevent swimmer’s ear, know the signs, and seek medical evaluation if you suspect a problem. Prompt treatment can help relieve discomfort and prevent complications. As tempting as it may be, avoid inserting objects into the ear canal and avoid introducing moisture in your ear from swimming or bathing until the infection is resolved. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and complete the full course of antibiotics when prescribed.
Let’s enjoy summer! Stay cool in the pool, splash pads, and waterparks with your new knowledge, tips, and tricks to prevent, identify, and treat swimmer’s ear.
Call me with any questions at 817-261-3000 and schedule your appointment today!
Reference: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8381-swimmers-ear-otitis-externa