What is swimmer's ear?

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal, the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. This condition is called swimmer's ear, because it commonly occurs in people who have been swimming. But other people can get it too.

Swimmer's ear can be very painful. The pain can get worse when you touch the earlobe or another part of the outer ear or when you chew. Other symptoms can include itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and a yellowish or brownish discharge from the ear. Your ear canal may be swollen. In severe cases, the outer ear can be red and swollen too.

A doctor can usually tell whether you have swimmer's ear by looking into your ear and asking questions about your symptoms.

Follow these tips when treating swimmer's ear:

• If your doctor prescribed eardrops, use them as directed.
• Talk with your doctor before putting anything in your ear.
• Avoid getting water in the ear until after the problem clears up.
• Use a hair dryer set on low to carefully dry the ear after you shower.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), or naproxen (such as Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

Some home treatment can help swimmer's ear. But it is important to see a doctor first. If your doctor says it's okay, you can try the following:

• If your ear is itchy, try nonprescription swimmer's eardrops, such as Swim-Ear. Use them before and after swimming or getting your ears wet. Read and follow all instructions on the label, and learn how to insert eardrops safely.
• To ease ear pain, apply a warm washcloth or a heating pad set on low.
  • Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.

In severe cases, the ear canal should be carefully cleaned out by an ear specialist. Sometimes, if the ear canal is very swollen, a wick with antibiotic drops will be placed in the ear canal.

Cleaning and care

• Use antibiotic drops exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Do not insert eardrops (other than the antibiotic eardrops) or anything else into the ear unless your doctor has told you to.
• Avoid getting water in the ear until the problem clears up. Use cotton lightly coated with petroleum jelly as an earplug. Do not use plastic earplugs.
• Use a hair dryer to carefully dry the ear after you shower. Make sure the dryer is on the lowest heat setting.
• To ease ear pain, hold a warm washcloth against your ear.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • No one younger than 20 should take aspirin. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

Inserting eardrops

• Warm the drops to body temperature by rolling the container in your hands or placing it in a cup of warm water for a few minutes.
• Lie down, with your ear facing up.
• Place drops inside the ear. Follow your doctor's instructions (or the directions on the label) for how many drops to use. Gently wiggle the outer ear or pull the ear up and back to help the drops get into the ear.
• It's important to keep the liquid in the ear canal for 3 to 5 minutes.