Swimmer's Ear

Clinically known as Otitis Externa, Swimmer’s Ear is an infection of the auditory canal. This condition is not serious in most cases; if left unattended, however, it can spread and become serious, depending on the nature of the infection, its symptoms, its cause or causes, and its degree of severity.

The symptoms of swimmer’s ear involve mostly itching, followed by discomfort and pain in the afflicted ear canal. If and when Otitis Externa worsens, swelling can incur, and a sensation of “fullness” can be felt. An inflamed shell is yet another possible outcome of excessive irritation, a visual indication of sensitive ear nodes, which are enlarged by the swelling. Clear-to-yellowish drainage can follow a perforated eardrum or gouged skin lining the canal. Ultimately, hearing loss is an inevitable effect of such an infection.

The main although not sole cause of Swimmer’s Ears is, of course, swimming, hence the coined moniker. This can happen when swimming in chemically treated, toxic, or contaminated water. Swimmers who neglect to empty their ear canals of the excess water, dry, and then apply alcohol and/or eardrops in their canals immediately following a swimming set might find their ear canals irritated. Non-clean water can and does scrape the skin inside the canal where bacteria or fungi settles in, causing a gradually growing infection. This is why cleaning ears when leaving water is very important. Dry skin conditions, such as Eczema, can cause skin to peal. This can occur when aided by the insertion of foreign objects. Combined with pus from the other side of the eardrum, dry skin can easily become infected.

Treatment for swimmer’s ear usually involves antibiotic eardrops to fight the infection. If the canal is swollen due to severe irritation or inflammation, the doctor might insert a cotton swab to clear out any debris and then carry the intended medicine all the way back. This is the only thing ever inserted into the ear canal—when the doctor cleans the canal and when alcohol is applied immediately after showering.

Swimmer ear plugs also work while swimming to keep excess water and debris from entering the ear canals. Whether bought over-the-counter or prescribed, the swimmer ear plug should only be used upon a doctor’s call.

Natural and home remedies work, too. A warm wash cloth can be applied to the ear to alleviate pain. With swimmer’s ear, vinegar can do wonders. This is a common swimmer’s ear remedy. A shower cap, ear muffs, and pieces of cotton wedged inside the vestibule of the ear canals can offer protection and therapy for swimmer’s ear, and natural remedies such as vitamins and other non-medicinal solutions might assist in fighting infections as well.

Swimmer’s ear is not fatal or contagious, but it can be uncomfortable. This is why ears should be treated well and kept clean at all times. Any infection, regardless of where it is, can be serious.