Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa)
Summer and swimming go together. Unfortunately, so do swimming and swimmer’s ear. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of swimmer's ear.
What is swimmer's ear (otitis externa)?
Swimmer's ear (also called otitis externa) is a type of ear infection. The infection occurs in the ear canal. Because the ear canal is dark, warm, and can hold water, it makes a perfect environment for water-loving bacteria and fungus to grow.
Why is this ear infection called 'swimmer's ear'?
Otitis externa was given the nickname swimmer's ear because it most commonly affects individuals who spend a lot of time in water, such as swimmers.
What conditions cause swimmer's ear (otitis externa)?
Conditions that can lead to swimmer's ear include:
- Water that gets trapped in the ear canal, for example from swimming or showering often.
- Loss of ear wax – a natural protectant – due to too much water entering the ear canal or removing too much wax when cleaning ears.
- Injury to ear caused by putting objects into the ear, such as fingers, pen/pencils, paper clips, hair clips.
- Swimming in polluted water.
- Other skin conditions that affect the ear canal, such as eczema or psoriasis.
What are the symptoms of swimmer's ear (otitis externa)?
- Ear pain: pain that often gets worse when the outer ear is tugged or pressed on; pain can become intense and spread across side of face of the affected ear.
- Itching inside the ear canal.
- Bad-smelling or colored (yellow, yellow/green pus) oozing from the ear.
- Blocked ear.
- Redness and swelling in the outer ear.
- Temporary hearing loss or decreased hearing.
- Slight fever.
