Causes and Prevention of Swimmer's Ear
Otitis Externa is a Common Problem for People Doing Water Sports
Nov 7, 2009
Swimmer’s Ear got its name as it is a common occurrence with people who spend a lot of time in the water.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s Ear is the name generally given to an infection of the outer ear canal. It is a problem usually encountered by people undertaking water sports. However, it can result from other causes
Swimmer’s Ear can be anything from a slightly painful annoyance to a debilitating pain requiring significant medical intervention
The medical name for this condition is Otitis Externa.
Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
There are various symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear. A general test is if there is pain when pulling down on the ear lobe, it is usually an indication of Swimmer’s Ear
Other symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear are:
- A pain in the ear canal.
- Itching sensation in the ear canal or outer ear.
- Pus or blood may be draining from the affected ear.
- The ear may be swollen.
- There may be a blocked, or stuffy sensation in the affected ear.
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmers Ear is generally from a bacteria or fungus growing in the outer ear canal.
The outer ear canal has a small protective coating of wax that keeps bacteria and fungi away from the soft skin underneath. With too much water this wax gets washed away leaving the soft skin exposed.
Coupled with an affected person’s ear canal being a dark, moist environment this provides an excellent for bacteria and fungi to grow. This then leads to the pain and tenderness and infection in the soft skin of the ear canal.
Swimmer’s Ear can also be caused from an infection resulting from a cut or abrasion in the ear canal. For example, this may occur if an object, such as an absently poked end of a pencil, breaks the soft skin in the ear canal. An infection may occur and the symptoms will be the same as Swimmer’s Ear.
Hairspray and other cosmetics that get into the outer ear canal could also lead to an infection and diagnosis of Swimmer’s Sar. Some skin conditions can also cause swimmer’s ear.
Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear
The treatment for Swimmer’s Ear is generally a trip to the doctor who may prescribe ear drops that will need to be applied to the affected ear over a few days.
Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear may also require staying out of the water for a few days.
An infected ear canal should not be scratch or poked with a foreign object if it feels itchy or needs a scratch. This may feel good, but it will only exacerbate the problem.
How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
For those involved in water sports, such as scuba diving, swimming, sailboarding, water skiing, preventing Swimmer’s Ear is a sensible course of action.
Swimmer’s Ear can generally be prevented by:
- Trying to keep the water out of the ear. For example, when fitness swimming maybe earplugs can be used. This is not possible for scuba divers or snorkellers.
- Not putting foreign objects in the ear. If there is concern about build up of wax, or any other problems with the outer ear canal, seek medical attention rather than poking things down the ear canal.
- Keeping the ears dry. That is, drying them off with a dry towel after participating in water sports. It is possible to use a hair dryer set on low heat and held well away from the ear to dry out the ear canal.
- If water is caught in the ear canal, try to get it out by tilting the head on the side. Hopping on the same side leg that the water is caught in with the head on the side can sometimes shift stubborn water droplets.
Swimmer’s Ear is a common problem for people involved in water sports. Fortunately it is rarely more than just an annoying pain which can lead to a few days out of the water. But with care and attention the problem of Swimmer’s Ear can be prevented.
Scuba divers are susceptible to a number of other types of ear injuries.
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