Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by trapped water and bacteria. It is most common in children and teenagers, individuals with eczema, and anybody with excess earwax.
Causes:
- Water exposure, such as swimming, surfing, diving, and bathing
- Cuts in the skin of the ear canal
- Contact with polluted or bacteria-laden water
- Damage to the protective film of the ear canal by cotton swabs, chemicals in hairspray or hair dyes, or skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhea
Symptoms:
- Itchiness and pain in the ear
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
- Swelling, redness, and drainage of fluids
- Fever
- Temporary hearing loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
Prevention:
- Keep moisture from entering the ear canals by wearing earplugs when swimming, using a shower cap when bathing, and drying your ears thoroughly after swimming and bathing.
- Apply a solution of vinegar and rubbing alcohol in droplet form to your ears before any water exposure.
Treatment:
- Home remedies include rinsing and flushing your ears with a saline solution or mixture of vinegar and warm water, and using a warm compress and over-the-counter pain medication to treat discomfort.
- Antibiotics are prescribed if the condition is the result of a bacterial infection.
Contact your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of swimmer’s ear.