Swimming is one of the greatest joys of summer, bringing lots of people to pools and lakes. But one downfall of spending time in the water is the chance of developing an ear infection called swimmer’s ear (otitis externa).
About 1 in 10 people will get Swimmer’s ear in their lifetime1. While anyone can develop Swimmer’s ear, the majority of cases are children, with about 2.4 million cases being seen annually at pediatricians and urgent cares around the U.S.2
This article will give you some easy tips to help prevent and treat Swimmer’s ear so you can ensure your time in the water is nothing but fun.
What Is Swimmer's Ear?
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear. It is typically caused by water that gets trapped in the outer ear canal, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. This can easily lead to an infection if the ear does not dry out completely after being in the water.1
Common Symptoms of Swimmer's Ear
Ear pain is a common symptom of swimmer's ear.1 Depending on the severity of the infection, you may experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms.2
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it's important to visit a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Mild symptoms
Mild symptoms of swimmer's ear can include:2
- Ear drainage
- Ear pain
- Itchiness
- Mild discomfort
- Mild swelling of the ear canal
Moderate symptoms
Moderate symptoms of swimmer’s ear can be more painful. In addition to mild symptoms, you may experience:2
- A partially blocked ear canal due to swelling
- Congestion
- Increased drainage
- More intense itchiness
- Muffled hearing
- Redness1
Severe symptoms
Severe symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread beyond the ear canal. Severe symptoms can include:2
- Complete blockage of the ear canal due to severe swelling
- Fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Hearing loss
- Intense pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Thick, yellow discharge from the ear
How Is Swimmer’s Ear Diagnosed?
A doctor will diagnose swimmer’s ear by physically examining your ears with an otoscope.2 They will look for redness, swelling and discharge.3
If the discharge looks abnormal, the doctor may do a culture test to send off for analysis; however, swimmer’s ear is typically diagnosed through a physical exam alone.3
Swimmer’s ear vs. middle ear infection
Since swimmer’s ear and a middle ear infection (otitis media) have similar symptoms, they can be mistaken for one another.3
Usually, a doctor can tell the difference between the two by examining the location of the pain, redness and swelling. Swimmer’s ear is located in the outer ear canal, while a middle ear infection is located in the middle part of the ear.3
Other conditions that can imitate swimmer’s ear include:3
- A broken eardrum
- A scratch in your ear canal, perhaps from a cotton swab
- Ear wax blockage
- Getting shampoo or other chemicals in the ear canal
- Irritation from wearing hearing aids
Treatments for Swimmer’s Ear
It's important to visit a doctor if you or your child is having symptoms of an ear infection. If left untreated, swimmer's ear can spread to nearby bones or skin, especially for those with compromised immune systems.1
Medicated ear drops
The go-to treatment is usually antibiotic or antifungal ear drops taken over the course of a week. It's important to finish the course of these ear drops as prescribed to prevent the infection from returning.1
If symptoms become worse or severe swelling is involved, you may need to visit an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor to get an ear wick placed in your ear canal. An ear wick is a small, spongelike piece of material that expands in liquid. This helps open up your ear canal so the medicated ear drops can reach the infection.1
Other treatment recommendations
If you are diagnosed with swimmer’s ear, it is vital to keep your ears dry and out of water until the infection has cleared.4 This is to prevent the infection from worsening.
Here are some tips on keeping your ears dry and clean and reducing pain:
- Apply a warm washcloth to the ear to help ease pain.4
- Do not return to swimming until the infection is resolved.3
- Drop a solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar into each ear after swimming.5
- Take pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to decrease ear pain.4
- Use a hair dryer on the cool setting to help dry your ears after you shower.1
- When bathing, pad your ear with a cotton ball soaked in petroleum jelly to prevent water from entering the ear.1
It's important to note that other home remedies, like ear candles and self-ear-cleaning devices, are not recommended — you should consult a doctor before using them.1
Potential Complications of Swimmer's Ear
If left untreated, swimmer’s ear can spread to nearby bones or skin, especially in older people and those with diabetes or compromised immune systems.1
Other potential complications can include:
- Allergic reaction to antibiotic ear drops6
- Bone and cartilage damage (osteomyelitis)7
- Chronic ear infections2
- Ear eczema (atopic dermatitis)8
- Hearing loss2
- Narrowing of the ear canal2
- Significant increase in pain3
- Spread of infection to the surrounding tissue of the skin (cellulitis) or skull3
Tips to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
If you are an avid swimmer or have a child who spends a lot of time in the water, there are ways you can help prevent swimmer’s ear.
The main way to help prevent swimmer’s ear is to dry your ears thoroughly after getting out of the water. This can be done by tilting your head back and forth to get the water out and using a towel to dry your ears thoroughly.9
Other ways to help prevent swimmer’s ear include:9
- Avoid wearing hearing aids or earbuds while in the water, as they can increase the likelihood of infection.¹
- Consult your doctor before using ear-drying drops.
- Do not attempt to remove ear wax on your own.
- Never insert objects like cotton swabs, fingers or pencils into your ear canal.
- Talk to your doctor before swimming if you have a history of chronic ear infections.
- Use a bathing cap or waterproof earplugs while swimming to help keep your ears dry.
The Takeaway on Swimmer's Ear
Avid swimmers and children who spend a lot of time in the water are more susceptible to developing swimmer’s ear. Treatment typically includes medicated ear drops prescribed by a doctor, but further treatment may be recommended if there is swelling or if the infection gets worse. An effective way to help prevent swimmer’s ear is to thoroughly clean and dry your ears after being in the water.
Swimmer’s ear is a common and often easily treatable condition, and taking simple preventive measures and seeking prompt care can help avoid discomfort and ensure a swift return to healthy hearing and regular swimming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swimmer's Ear
Do you still have questions? Here are answers to commonly asked questions about swimmer's ear.
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Author Bio
Amy Isler, M.S.N., R.N., has more than a decade of nursing expertise. She combines her nursing experience and journalism background to create engaging and educational healthcare content for leading brands and publications, including GoodRx, Verywell Health, Vision Center and more. Her mission in writing is to provide positive, accurate and informative articles for consumers.