Swimming can leave you with pain in the ear if you end up with otitis externa. The condition, also known as swimmer's ear, usually results in pain throughout the entire ear, although the root of the problem is in the ear canal. Swimmer's ear can affects adults and children, although kids are much more prone to it.
How You Get It
Swimmer's ear is a painful ear infection caused by bacteria thriving in the ear canal. You ear canals are usually protected by a coating of ear wax, but frequent swimming can wash away the protection. Bacteria start to grow in the unprotected wet conditions of your ear canal, leading to infection. Swimmer's ear can come from pools, lakes or other bodies of water contaminated with the microscopic germ pseudomonas aeruginosa.
What It Feels Like
Swimmer's ear starts out as an itchy sensation inside your ear canal, but can quickly evolve into full-throttle pain. Your ear can become red, swollen and tender to the touch. Even the slightest pressure on your outer ear can be enough to make you cringe. Moving your head can make it hurt. Because bacteria are blocking your ear canal, you can also have trouble hearing things out of your infected ear and you may notice pus draining out of the canal.
How You Treat It
Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eardrops to help kick out the infection or use a medicated ear wick to apply medication directly to the infected canal area. Pain medication can be in order if the pain is particularly intense. It's vital to use the full course of whatever antibiotics your doctor prescribes even if your ear starts to heal, just to ensure that the infection is fully eradicated. You probably won't be swimming again for at least a week.
How You Prevent It
Wearing earplugs can help prevent swimmer's ear, as can a few other precautionary measures. Thoroughly drying your ears after swimming with a hair dryer or towel can help. Alcohol-based eardrops also work to clear water out of your ear after a romp in the lake or pool. Steer clear of sticking cotton swabs in your ears, since the swabs can leave a scratch that is prone to infections. Also avoid swimming in water that appears polluted or dirty.
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