How Do You Get Swimmer’s Ear
How Do You Get Swimmer’s Ear?
Most of us assume that you can only get swimmer’s ear in a pool or the ocean and although there is an increased risk of these outer ear infections during the summer, it turns out that there are other ways to develop this condition any time of the year. Dr. Alicia Sanderson with CMC Ear, Nose, and Throat helps us better understand outer ear infections and how to treat them.
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Otitis Externa, commonly called “swimmer’s ear”, is an infection of the outer ear canal. “It’s usually related to getting water in your ear or using a cotton swab which can scratch or traumatize the ear,” explains Dr. Sanderson. “Swimming pools are not the only culprit for these infections. Swimming in ponds, lakes, and other slow-moving water sources can make you more susceptible to infection because they contain more bacteria.”
Bacteria play a major role in otitis externa. “Anytime you are exposed to a warm moist environment or have water that gets trapped in your ears, you are more susceptible to bacterial growth and causing infection,” says Dr. Sanderson. “Another way to introduce bacteria is by sticking things in your ears like cotton swabs. This can cause you to scratch the ear canal, promoting infection.”
Other possible contributing factors to swimmer’s ear are:
- Chemicals, hair spray, & hair dye
- Skin conditions like eczema or seborrhea
- Hot tubs
- Ear trauma
- Contact with polluted water
- Other health conditions such as diabetes
Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is rarely serious, however as the infection spreads, you can experience a host of symptoms. “Swimmer’s ear can start off feeling like you have a bubble in your ear. Sounds might be muffled,” describes Dr. Sanderson “but over time the infection can become incredibly painful. The ear can swell shut. You can experience drainage from the ear, pus, and blood-tinged discharge.”
Other signs and symptoms include:
- The feeling that your ear is blocked
- Fever
- Decreased hearing
- Pain that radiates into the jaw and neck
- Pain with movement of the outer ear
- Redness and swelling around the ear
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
How To Treat Swimmer’s Ear
Treatment for otitis externa starts with your physician. “The cause is most often a bacterial infection, so we prescribe topical antibiotic ear drops. Drops are the best treatment, but we occasionally prescribe oral antibiotics as well,” stated Dr. Sanderson. “If it’s very intense, then we can insert a temporary sponge to keep the ear open so that the ear drops can be effective. It may also be necessary to remove pus, drainage, and other debris, so the antibiotic drops can reach the site of infection. If necessary pain medication can also be prescribed.”
It’s very important to follow your physician’s advice and avoid putting anything in your ears other than what is prescribed by your doctor. “It’s really important that you avoid scratching and rubbing your ears. I know it can be really hard because it’s such an uncomfortable condition, but you have to allow your ears to heal.”
Dr. Sanderson goes further to explain that you want to avoid introducing more bacteria into your ears. “Keep your fingers and cotton swabs out of your ears while you are healing. Keep your ears dry, no swimming for a few weeks, and consider taking baths instead of showers. Placing a cotton ball in the outer part of your ear during showers to prevent water from getting in your ear can help, but do not insert it in the ear canal, just the outer bowl of the ear.”
If your symptoms don’t clear up with treatment after 7 to 10 days or if you start experiencing new symptoms or more extreme symptoms, you need to contact your physician again.
How Do You Get Swimmer’s Ear: The right option for you
Most people won’t have any issues with swimmer’s ear but if you find yourself with symptoms or suffering from chronic infections, consider CMC Ear, Nose, and Throat. It can be tempting to self-diagnose using over-the-counter drugs, however, you should avoid following that path. Why put your health at risk and potentially cause further damage when you can visit Dr. Alicia Sanderson or one of our other physicians and get the right treatment for you? Our experienced doctors are specially trained to treat the delicate complications of the ear, nose, and throat. Give us a call today.
