Swimmer's ear, a bacterial or fungal infection of the outer ear canal, can cause serious health complications if not treated properly. If you are a frequent swimmer or have certain skin allergies or conditions, you may be at greater risk of developing the infection. Symptoms that persist or worsen despite treatment increase the likelihood of serious and even life-threatening complications. Talk to your doctor immediately if your condition does not improve with medication.
Causes
Symptoms of swimmer's ear that worsen or last more than three months are a sign of a chronic infection. According to experts, chronic swimmer's ear may occur from an allergic reaction to products that enter your ear such as hair dye or hair spray. Skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema and seborrhea, are also known to cause long-term swimmer's ear as they provide a good environment for the bacteria that may cause the infection to grow. Prolonged use of antibacterial ear drops or corticosteroids --- common treatments for swimmer's ear --- may cause a fungal infection, triggering the condition. Other causes may include frequent swimming, a cut or scratch in the ear, damage to the ear canal or using cotton-swab tips to remove earwax. Cotton-swab tips may irritate or break skin in the ear canal and push dirt or wax further into the ear.
Treatment
Treatment for swimmer's ear depends on the severity of your condition. Your doctor may first prescribe antibiotic ear drops and acetic acid spray to help fight bacterial growth and restore the normal acidity of your ear canal. But if your symptoms persist, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid or anti-fungal ear drops. In serious cases, your doctor may insert a sponge into your ear to help the medication penetrate your ear canal if it is swollen. He may also prescribe oral antibiotics if the infection spreads beyond the ear, or other medication for a skin condition if it is the underlying cause.
Prevention
Prevent swimmer's ear by keeping your ears dry. After swimming or showering, gently tilt your head to the side to help water drain from your ears. Dry your outer ear with a towel or a blow dryer at low heat, several inches from your ear. Use cotton swab-tips to clean your ears gently, and avoid placing foreign objects such as paper clips or pencils in your ears. Protect your ears from potential irritants such as hair dyes or sprays by placing cotton balls in your ears. Before and after swimming, place 1 tsp. of a homemade mixture of one part white vinegar and one part rubbing alcohol in each ear to prevent bacterial growth, according to the Mayo Clinic. Do not use these drops if you have an outer ear infection, ear tubes, damaged eardrums or pus coming from your ears. Visit an otolaryngologist periodically to clean your ears if they are dry, flaky or scaly, or if you have a lot of earwax.
Complications
Left untreated, swimmer's ear can cause serious health complications. In cases of chronic swimmer's ear, pus or swelling of your ear canal can block hearing, resulting in temporary hearing loss. A buildup of pus can also cause the eardrum to rupture. If the infection spreads beyond the ear canal, it may cause an infection in deep layers of the skin or an abscess in and around the ear. It may also cause bone and cartilage inflammation or damage when it spreads to the outer ear and the lower skull bones. In rare cases, the infection may spread to other areas of the body and can be life threatening.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Swimmer's Ear; October 2010
- KidsHealth: Swimmer's Ear
- American Academy of Otolaryngology --- Head and Neck Surgery: Swimmer's Ear
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention; Swimmer's Ear Otitis Externa; May, 2011
- MedlinePlus; Swimmer's Ear; August 2010
- Medical News Today; What Is Otitis Externa, Swimmer's Ear? What Causes Otitis Externa?; February 2010
