Swimmer's ear is an infection, irritation or inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Also called "acute otitis externa," this condition commonly affects people who spend a lot of time in the water or those with eczema or excess earwax. Possible complications of swimmer's ear include narrowing of the ear canal, hearing loss, facial infection, chronic infections and malignant otitis externa.
Causes
One of the most common causes of swimmer's ear is moisture in the ear -- from swimming, bathing, showering or moist environments. In addition, excessive cleaning of the ear canal, contact with irritating hair styling products, and skin conditions such as eczema and seborrhea place a person at higher risk for developing recurring swimmer's ear. People who swim in polluted water can develop outer ear infections. Lastly, people with a tendency to suffer from chronic middle ear infections can also suffer from recurring swimmer's ear if the infection spreads.
Symptoms
Symptoms of swimmer's ear include buzzing or humming inside the ear, itchiness, reduced hearing, pain, and pus in the ear canal. Other signs that may accompany these symptoms are fever; swollen lymph nodes around the ear; excessive drainage; full or blocked sensation in the ear; and pain that radiates to the face, neck or head.
Treatment
Depending upon the severity of the infection, different treatment options are available. A mild infection may be treated by cleaning and drying the ear canal. The type of infection also dictates what type of treatment is required. Fungal infections can only be treated with anti-fungal preparations, while bacterial infections require antibiotics. Treatment may be via oral medication or topical drops or ointments. For severe infections that have spread to become malignant, surgery may be required to drain infected skull bones.
Prevention
People prone to outer ear infections should take precautions to avoid recurring infections. Avoid swimming in dirty or polluted water. Wear a swimming cap or earplugs during a swim or bath to keep the ears dry. After exposure to water, dry your ears as thoroughly as possible. A mixture of equal parts isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar can be dropped into the ear canals to kill bacteria and fungus and to help eliminate any remaining moisture. Avoid contact with irritating hair products such as hairspray, shampoo and conditioner. Finally, do not use cotton swabs to clean out the ear canals, since this compacts the wax into the ear canal and can cause infection.
