Summer is here! It’s time for barbecues, fireworks, and lots of time in the pool. But, while water play is a great way to exercise, cool off, and have fun, you need to protect your ears when you do it. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to develop swimmer’s ear, a painful condition that can cause permanent harm if left untreated.
Don’t worry, though. We’ll tell you everything that you need to know so you can identify, treat, and prevent this common ear ailment.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear, or acute otitis externa, is an infection of your outer ear and ear canal that’s caused by moisture getting trapped inside of your ear. That moisture creates a bacterial breeding ground that develops into the condition. You can also become infected if your ears come into contact with contaminated water.
Swimmer’s ear isn’t just for swimmers. You can also get the infection by bathing, relaxing in a hot tub, or doing any other activity where water gets into your ears. While the infection is most likely to occur in children and teens, there are other risk factors:
- Eczema
- Sensitive skin
- Earwax build-up
- Using hearing aids or earbuds
- The use of cotton swabs to remove wax
- The use of hairspray and hair dye
- Cuts inside of your ear
Symptoms
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear include:
- Itching inside of your ear
- Inflamed skin on or in your ear
- Ear pain that worsens when you pull on your earlobe
- Feeling like your ear is blocked
- Fever
- Impaired hearing
More severe symptoms include:
- Swollen lymph nodes near your ear and neck
- Pain that radiates to your face, neck, and other parts of your head
If left untreated, swimmer’s ear can cause damage to the bone and cartilage in your ear. It can also cause hearing loss. In rare cases, the infection could spread to your brain. If you have diabetes, are older, or you suffer from a chronic health issue, you have a higher risk of swimmer’s ear infection complications.
How to Treat the Infection
If you think you have swimmer’s ear, see your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor right away. They’ll examine your ear, assess your pain level, and possibly take a sample of any drainage. If you’re diagnosed with the condition, your ENT will prescribe treatment based on the severity of the infection.
Mild cases can be cured with ear drops. More severe instances require either topical or oral antibiotics. If your ear is swollen shut, your ENT might attempt to insert a small merocel sponge that’s been steeped in medication. That sponge may need to be replaced during the course of treatment.
Your infection should clear up in 7-10 days. And, when the infection is gone, your hearing should return to normal. But, it’s important to follow up with your ENT to be sure that your ears are healthy.
Note: Check with your doctor to be sure your eardrums aren’t perforated before beginning treatment.
How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is painful and can cause permanent harm to your ears. The good news is that it’s preventable. To protect your ears, take the following precautions:
- Insert earplugs before swimming
- Dry your ears after they get wet
- Tilt your head to drain out any excess moisture
- Avoid inserting anything into your ears (unless prescribed)
- See your ENT if you need help with wax build-up
Final Thoughts
Summer is a fun time of the year. But, if you’re not careful, doing laps in the pool could result in your catching swimmer’s ear. If you think your ears are infected, or have any questions about ear health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
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