Ear Infection, Outer Ear

Swimmer's ear, also called otitis externa, is an infection of the ear canal. This canal is the tube that goes from the eardrum to the outside of your ear. The infection is often caused by water trapped inside the ear. This moisture creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and cause problems.

Putting things like fingers, cotton swabs, or other objects into your ear can also lead to swimmer's ear. These objects can irritate or damage the delicate skin lining the ear canal, making it easier for infection to set in.

Fortunately, swimmer's ear is often treatable with ear drops. Getting treatment early can prevent more serious infections and complications from developing.

Ear infections, sometimes called swimmer's ear, often start with mild symptoms. If left untreated, these symptoms can get worse. Doctors typically describe swimmer's ear in three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. The mild stage usually involves just a bit of discomfort or itching in the ear. Moderate swimmer's ear might include more intense pain, along with redness and swelling around the ear canal. A severe infection could cause significant pain, difficulty hearing, and noticeable swelling and redness, potentially even leading to further complications if not treated.

See a doctor if you think you might have swimmer's ear.

If you have swimmer's ear, it's important to get medical help right away. This is especially true if:

• You have a lot of pain: This could be a sharp, throbbing pain or a constant ache in your ear.
• You have a fever: A fever is a sign your body is fighting an infection. Swimmer's ear is an infection, and a fever means the infection might be more serious.

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room.

Ear infections, often called swimmer's ear, are typically caused by bacteria. While less frequently, fungi or viruses can also lead to these infections. In most cases, the infection happens because bacteria are able to grow and multiply in the warm, moist environment of the ear canal. This is why it's often more common for people who swim or spend a lot of time with wet ears to develop swimmer's ear.

Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear. Several things can make you more likely to get it.

One common cause is having too much moisture in your ear. This can happen if you sweat a lot, if it's very humid outside, or if water stays in your ear after swimming or showering. Keeping your ears dry is very important.

Another risk is getting your ear canal dirty. If you swim in water that's not very clean, you might be exposed to more germs. This can lead to an infection.

It's also important to avoid poking around in your ear canal. Using cotton swabs, hairpins, or your fingernails to clean your ears can scratch or damage the delicate skin inside. This can make you more vulnerable to infection.

Finally, certain ear devices, like earbuds or hearing aids, can also increase the risk. These devices can sometimes cause tiny tears or breaks in the skin lining your ear canal, making it easier for bacteria to enter. If you use hearing aids or earbuds, take care to keep them clean.

Ear infections, often called swimmer's ear, are usually treatable and not serious if you get them checked out quickly. However, if left untreated or if certain conditions exist, they can lead to more significant problems.

Possible problems:

• Short-term hearing changes: You might hear things a little less clearly. This usually goes away once the infection is treated.

• Long-lasting ear infection: Sometimes, the infection doesn't go away completely after a few weeks. This is called a chronic outer ear infection. This is more likely to happen if you have something that makes it hard to treat, like a particular kind of bacteria, a skin reaction to the antibiotic eardrops, a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, or a combination of bacterial and fungal infections.

• Infection spreading deeper into the skin: In rare cases, the infection can spread deeper into the skin tissues, causing a condition called cellulitis.

• Damage to bones and cartilage near the ear: A very rare but serious complication is damage to the cartilage and bones around the ear, especially near the base of the skull. This can cause a lot of pain. People with diabetes, weakened immune systems, or older adults are more at risk of this problem.

• Infection spreading to other parts of the body: If the infection in the ear gets very serious and spreads to the skull base, it may also spread to the brain or nearby nerves. This is a very rare but potentially life-threatening situation.

It's important to see a doctor if you suspect you have swimmer's ear. Early treatment is key to preventing these more serious complications.

How to Prevent Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear, also called otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear. It's often caused by water getting trapped in the ear canal, creating a moist environment where bacteria and fungi can grow. Here are some simple steps to help prevent it:

Keep Your Ears Dry:

After swimming or showering, tilt your head to the side to let water drain out of your ear canal. Gently pat your outer ear (the part you see) dry with a soft towel. You can also use a hairdryer on the lowest setting, holding it at least a foot away from your ear to gently dry the area. Avoid sticking anything into your ear canal.

Preventative Home Remedies (If Your Eardrum Is Intact):

If you're sure your eardrum isn't damaged, a mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol can help prevent swimmer's ear. Mix equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Before and after swimming, gently put one teaspoon of this mixture into each ear canal. Let it drain out naturally. This solution helps dry out the ear canal and discourages bacteria and fungi growth. Similar solutions are often available over-the-counter at pharmacies.

Choose Your Swimming Spots Wisely:

Avoid swimming in lakes or rivers when there are warnings about high bacteria counts. These warnings often mean the water isn't as clean, increasing the risk of infection.

Protect Your Ears While Swimming:

Use earplugs or a swim cap to keep water out of your ears while swimming. This is a simple and effective way to prevent water from getting trapped in your ear canal.

Protect Your Ears from Irritants:

When using hair products like hairspray or dye, place cotton balls in your ears to prevent the chemicals from getting inside. This will protect the sensitive skin inside your ear canal.

Be Careful After Ear Infections or Surgery:

If you've recently had an ear infection or surgery, talk to your doctor before swimming. Your doctor can advise you on whether it's safe for you to swim and what precautions you should take.

Don't Use Objects to Clean Your Ears:

Never use cotton swabs, paperclips, or other objects to clean or scratch inside your ear. These items can push earwax deeper into your ear canal, scratch the delicate skin lining the ear canal, or even damage the eardrum. If you have concerns about earwax buildup, talk to your doctor.

Doctors typically diagnose swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, during a routine office visit. If the infection is severe or doesn't clear up, more tests might be needed.

The doctor will likely diagnose swimmer's ear based on what you tell them about your symptoms, questions they ask, and a physical examination of your ear. Most of the time, no lab tests are needed at the first visit. The doctor's initial evaluation usually involves:

• Checking your ear canal: They use a tool called an otoscope to look inside your ear. If you have swimmer's ear, your ear canal will likely appear red, swollen, and possibly have a scaly or flaky look. There might also be some debris or skin in the ear canal.

• Looking at your eardrum: The doctor will also check your eardrum (tympanic membrane) to make sure it's not damaged or torn. If the view of your eardrum is blocked by swelling or debris, they might use a small suction device or a tool with a loop or scoop to clear the ear canal.

• Referral to an ENT specialist: If the doctor sees any damage or tears in your eardrum, or if they suspect the infection might be in the middle ear, they might refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. The ENT specialist will check the middle ear to be sure the infection isn't there. This is important because some treatments for outer ear infections aren't good for middle ear infections.

• Further testing if needed: If the infection doesn't improve with treatment, the doctor may take a sample of fluid or debris from your ear at a later visit. This sample will be sent to a lab to find out what type of bacteria or fungus might be causing the infection. This helps the doctor choose the best treatment.

Treating Swimmer's Ear

The goal of swimmer's ear treatment is to clear up the infection and let your ear heal properly. A key part of this is cleaning your ear canal. This helps the medicine reach all the affected areas. Your doctor will use a tool, like a suction device or a small tool called an ear curette, to remove any fluid, earwax, dead skin, or other debris.

Most swimmer's ear infections are treated with ear drops. These drops often contain a mix of different ingredients to address the specific infection. These ingredients can include:

• Acidic solutions: to help restore the ear's natural antibacterial environment.
• Steroids: to reduce swelling and inflammation.
• Antibiotics: to fight bacterial infections.
• Antifungal medications: to address fungal infections.

Your doctor will tell you the best way to use these ear drops. Here are some helpful tips:

• Warm the drops: Holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes will help warm the drops to body temperature, which makes them more comfortable.

• Position yourself properly: Lie on your side, with the infected ear facing upward. This helps the medicine reach the entire ear canal.

• Get help: If possible, ask someone to assist you in putting the drops in your ear.

• Ear positioning: When putting drops in a child or adult's ear, gently pull the ear up and back.

• Important precautions:

  • Avoid water: Don't swim, scuba dive, or use earphones or hearing aids until your pain and discharge are gone.
  • Protect your ear during showers/baths: Use a cotton ball coated in petroleum jelly to block water from entering your ear canal during these activities.

If the ear canal is blocked by swelling or fluid, your doctor might insert a small wick (made of cotton or gauze) to help drain fluid and deliver the medicine. More severe or resistant infections may require oral antibiotics. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can help ease the discomfort. If the pain is severe, your doctor might prescribe a stronger medication.