Ear infections are never pleasant, especially if they create a blockage or reducing hearing. That’s especially true for swimmer’s ear as it’s one of the primary ear infections that causes significant pain.
Fortunately, there are treatment options that not only alleviate the symptoms of swimmer’s ear but completely clear up the infection. The condition is most common in the summer months due to increased swimming, but it can develop in anyone at any time.
What is swimmer’s ear?
Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is an ear canal infection and is very common in swimmers. From bodies of water with bacteria or a simple swimming pool with too many chemicals, when someone goes swimming, water is prone to enter the ear. When it doesn’t dry, and when bacteria enter the canal, the moisture allows the germs to multiply and develop into an infection. With excessive bacteria in the ear, the skin within and around the ear becomes inflamed.
The signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear aren’t always obvious. Sometimes, it can go unnoticed. Common symptoms of swimmer’s ear include:
- Redness of the outer ear
- Ear itches
- Pain when touched
- Swollen glands on the neck
- Hearing loss or muffled hearing
- Plugged up ear sensation
In some severe cases, people may experience fever, chills, weakness, loss of appetite and neck and shoulder pain. If swimmer’s ear is left untreated, hearing loss may occur. However, when the infection is adequately treated and is allowed to heal, hearing typically returns to normal.
What causes swimmer’s ear?
While swimmer’s ear is typically caused by a moist environment growing bacteria within the ear canal, there are other ways to develop the condition. Other causes of swimmer’s ear might include:
- Contact with bacteria found in water (hot tubs and polluted water)
- Breaks in the ear canal skin caused by excessive cleaning with Q-tips
- Certain chemicals such as hair dye or hair spray
- Water treatments to remove built-up wax
- A cut in the skin
- Other conditions such as eczema or seborrhea
- Ill-fitting hearing aids
- Contaminated earbuds
How do you treat swimmer’s ear?
Swimmer’s ear, while painful, is easily treated. Swimmer’s ear can be treated by:
- Prescribed eardrops
- Avoiding moisture by drying the ears after bathing
- Using a hairdryer after showering
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen
- Using over-the-counter eardrops to help with inflammation and itchiness
- Applying a warm compress to the infected ear
Contrary to an old wives’ tale, ear candles have no benefit to swimmer’s ear or earaches. Therefore, do not use ear candles as a form of treatment.
How do you prevent swimmer’s ear?
While swimmer’s ear is a common ear infection, it’s easily preventable by taking small measures to ensure your ears are protected. Prevention is also excellent for anyone prone to infection or developing swimmer’s ear easily.
Preventing swimmer’s ear includes:
- Keeping your ear canals clean
- Cleaning your ears with a bulb syringe once a week
- Using earplugs while swimming
- Keeping your head above water as much as possible.
If you’re experiencing extreme ear pain, we recommend seeing a physician or visiting an urgent care clinic.
Choosing Riverview Health ER & Urgent Care
Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are not necessary for in-person visits; however, pre-registration is available.
Riverview Health Emergency Room Urgent Care has three convenient locations:
- Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Carmel is located at 14585 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel, IN 46033 and may be reached at 317-406-4280.
- Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Fishers is located at 9690 E. 116th St., Fishers, IN 46037 and may be reached at 317-406-4585.
- Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care West Carmel/Zionsville is located at 10830 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville, IN 46077 and may be reached at 317-406-4713.
