Swimmer's Ear
Swimmer's ear is an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside of your head. It's often brought on by water that remains in your ear, creating a moist environment that aids the growth of bacteria.
Causes and Risk Factors:
If you have swimmer's ear, your natural defenses of the outer ear have been overwhelmed. The conditions that often play a role in infection include:
- Moisture in the ear canal that creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth or trapped water behind the ear drum
- This occurs from swimming in water, heavy sweating, and humid weather (Welcome to TN!)
- Exposure to contaminated water (think the lake or river where there is no chlorine to kill the bad stuff)
- Damage to the sensitive skin of the ear canal that creates an opening for infection
- This damage is caused by picking or digging in the ear with a Q-tip, finger, or any other thing you stick in your ear (yes this includes wearing earbuds for long periods of time without taking them out to give your ears a rest)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Itching in your ear canal
- Redness inside your ear
- Mild discomfort that's made worse by pulling on your outer ear or pushing on the little "bump" in front of your ear
- Some drainage of clear, odorless fluid
- Feeling of fullness inside your ear and partial blockage of your ear canal by swelling, fluid and debris
- Decreased or muffled hearing
- Severe pain that might radiate to your face, neck or side of your head
- Swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
Treatment
Please stay out of the water and call your doctor ASAP if you or your swimmer are experiencing SEVERE pain, swollen lymph nodes, swollen ear canals, or a fever.
Mild symptoms can be treated with over the counter swimmer's ear drops or homemade solutions below.
Remember, NEVER play around about infections! They can go bad quick.
Prevention
Follow these tips to avoid swimmer's ear:
- Keep your ears dry. After swimming or bathing, tip your head to the side to help water drain from your ear canal. Dry only your outer ear, wiping it gently with a soft towel.
- At-home preventive treatment. If your child is prone to ear infections or you have been swimming in a river or lake, you can use homemade preventive eardrops of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part rubbing alcohol. This solution promotes drying and helps prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Before and after swimming, pour 1 teaspoon (about 5 milliliters) of the solution into each ear and let it drain back out. Similar over-the-counter solutions might be available at your drugstore or 70% straight rubbing alcohol works too
- Protect your ears while swimming. Wear earplugs or a swimming cap while swimming to keep your ears dry.
- Protect your ears from irritants. Put cotton balls in your ears while applying products such as hair sprays and hair dyes.
Source and more info: Swimmer's ear - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
