Swimmers ear is a condition that involves an infection of the ear canal. This type of infection can be caused by various types of bacteria or fungi and typically develops among adolescents and young adults whose ears are exposed to large amounts of water particularly while swimming in lakes, at the beach or in swimming pools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgWGppGTjwI
Oftentimes, individuals who are affected by swimmer’s ear have been swimming or diving for extended periods of time and usually in polluted or chlorinated waters. On the other hand, even water from a shower might carry infectious bacteria directly into the ear canal. Remember that swimmer’s ear is quite common in warm climates and tends to occur more often during the summer season when many spend most of the time swimming. The infection usually starts in a gradual manner and typically within a day of being dipped in water.
What are the symptoms?
If an individual is suspected with swimmer’s ear, the following symptoms are likely to be present:
- Harsh ear pain that worsens when the exterior part of the ear is pressed or pulled. In some cases, itching can also occur in the ear canal before the pain starts.
- In some cases, slight fever is present.
- Swelling or reddening of the exterior ear along with enlarged and tender surrounding glands.
- Drainage of greenish-yellow pus along with a possibility of hearing difficulty if the passage of sound via the ear canal is blocked by the buildup of pus.
Preventive measures
Swimmer’s ear can be prevented by avoiding swimming in contaminated water, using ear plugs for swimming as well as administering over-the-counter drops after swimming if the individual believes that he/she is at risk. In addition, the ears should be dried thoroughly using a clean towel after swimming and do not insert objects in the ear canal, especially sharp or small objects such as pins or cotton-tipped applicators.
When to seek emergency care
- Pain in the ear with or without fever
- Loss of hearing or difficulty hearing in one or both ears
- Itchiness of the ear or in the ear canal
- Drainage of pus or discharge from the ear that is yellowish, bloody, foul-smelling and thick.
The medical care of swimmer’s ear usually depends on the severity of the pain and the extent of the infection. Mild infections can be treated with prescription eardrops that contain corticosteroids or antibiotics. Once treated with medications, swimmer’s ear can be managed within 7-10 days but the individual should avoid water for a longer period. In addition, the ear pain can increase for 12-24 hours after the treatment and then eventually subside.
In severe cases of swimmers ear, the opening into the ear might be narrowed due to the swelling. In such cases, the ear requires cleaning and a cotton wick is inserted before eardrops are applied. Additionally, a culture of the ear might be taken to determine the exact cause of the infection and oral antibiotics are usually prescribed.