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Swimmer's ear

Definition

Swimmer's ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The medical term for swimmer's ear is otitis externa.

Swimmer's ear may be acute or chronic.

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Alternative Names

Ear infection - outer ear - acute; Otitis externa - acute; Chronic swimmer's ear; Otitis externa - chronic; Ear infection - outer ear - chronic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Swimmer's ear is more common among teenagers and young adults. Rarely it is seen along with middle ear infection (otitis media) or upper respiratory infections such as colds.

Swimming in polluted water can lead to swimmer's ear. Water-loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas, as well as other bacteria or fungi (in rare cases), can cause ear infections.

Other causes of swimmer's ear include:

Scratching the ear or inside the ear
Getting something stuck in the ear

Trying to clean wax from the ear canal with cotton swabs or small objects can irritate or damage the skin.

Long-term (chronic) swimmer's ear may be due to:

Allergic reaction to something placed in the ear
Chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis

Symptoms

Drainage from the ear -- yellow, yellow-green, pus-like, or foul smelling
Ear pain, which may get worse when you pull on the outer ear
Hearing loss
Itching of the ear or ear canal

Signs and tests

The doctor or nurse will examine you and look inside your ears. The ear area will look red and swollen. The skin inside the ear canal may be scaly or shedding.

Touching or moving the outer ear increases the pain. The eardrum may be difficult to see because of a swelling in the outer ear. Or, the eardrum may have a hole in it. This is called a perforation.

A sample of fluid may be removed from the ear and sent to a lab to identify any bacteria or fungus.

Treatment

Ear drops containing antibiotics are usually given, usually for 10 to 14 days. If the ear canal is very swollen, a wick may be applied in the ear to allow the drops to travel to the end of the canal. Your doctor or nurse can show you how to do this.

Other treatments may include:

Antibiotics taken by mouth if you have a middle ear infection or infection that spreads beyond the ear
Corticosteroids to reduce itching and inflammation
Pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Vinegar (acetic acid) ear drops

People with chronic swimmer's ear may need long-term or repeated treatments to avoid complications.

Placing something warm against the ears may reduce pain.

Expectations (prognosis)

When treated properly, swimmer's ear usually gets better.

Complications

The infection may spread to other areas around the ear, including the skull bone. In elderly people or those who have diabetes, a severe infection called malignant otitis externa is a possibility. Malignant otitis externa is treated with high-dose antibiotics given through a vein.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

You develop any symptoms of swimmer's ear
You notice any drainage coming from your ears
Your symptoms get worse or continue despite treatment
You have new symptoms, such as fever or pain and redness of the skull behind the ear

Prevention

Protect ears from further damage.

Do not scratch the ears or insert cotton swabs or other objects in the ears.
Keep ears clean and dry, and do not let water enter the ears when showering, shampooing, or bathing.
Dry the ear thoroughly after exposure to moisture.
Avoid swimming in polluted water.
Use earplugs when swimming.
Consider mixing 1 drop of alcohol with 1 drop of white vinegar and placing the mixture into the ears after they get wet. The alcohol and acid in the vinegar help prevent bacterial growth.

References

Guss J, Ruckenstein MJ. Infections of the external ear. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 137.

Haddad J. External otitis (otitis externa). In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 631.

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