Swimmer’s Ear

With the steaming heat index, many families go out of town on weekends for the beach. One of the conditions you have to watch for after the happy hours of swimming and family outing is infection of the outer ear canal (otitis externa) or Swimmer’s Ear.

What is swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear is caused by an infection. Bacteria are the causative agents to the infection. It is also possible that it may be caused by fungus. In some cases it is both fungus and bacteria.

How does it develop?

It develops after water has gotten into the ear, especially after swimming. Sand and other debris from the water can get inside the ear canal and may also result to swimmer’s ear. When the external ear is itchy because of some fungus or allergen, vigorous cotton swabbing may produce microscopic cuts that are suitable for entry of bacteria.

Signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear

Pain in otitis externa or swimmer’s ear is worse compared to its relative, middle ear infection or otitis media. Pain becomes more intense when you chew and when you press on the tag (protruding middle portion of the ear or the tragus) or when you wiggle the earlobe. Aside from the pain, there’s a feeling of fullness of the outer ear canal. There can itching. The ear canal may be swollen. In more severe infection, the pain may be severe, coupled with watery or yellowish or colored discharge from the ear. Possibly, there may be some hearing loss.

Treatment

Make sure there is no foreign material or object, like an insect, for example, in the ear. An eardrop with Neomycin Sulfate and Polymyxin-B is the indicated treatment. Some eardrops contain steroidal agents that may help in lessening the swelling. There are some eardrops in the market that contain broad-spectrum antibiotics aside from the two that I have mentioned. Antibiotics in capsule or tablet form will speed up treatment and recovery. Some ear specialists recommend two weeks of oral antibiotic treatment, combined with eardrops. A warm towel over the ear will lessen the discomfort and pain. Cotton coated with petroleum jelly can be used as earplug. Don’t use plastic earplugs. Painkillers may be taken if your tolerance to pain is low.

Prevention

Keep your ears dry. After swimming, shake your head to remove water from the ear canal. If water has gotten inside an ear after swimming, tilt your head and let it drain out. Gently dry your ears with the corner of a tissue or towel. You may use a blow dryer on its lowest setting and held several inches away from the ear to fully dry the canal. Just be careful. Blow dryers can be too noisy to the ear.