Swimming-related ear infections are a common occurrence throughout the United States, impacting people of all ages from children to the elderly. These ear infections, commonly referred to as swimmer's ear, effect an estimated 2.4 million people in the U.S., costing as much as $500 million in healthcare treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding swimmer's ear can help you avoid the pain and costs associated with the infection.
Swimmer's Ear
Ear infections after swimming occur due to water being left inside the outer ear canal. When you swim, water can remain in the canal between the eardrum and the outside ear, increasing the moisture level in the ear. The added moisture creates the right environment for infection-causing bacteria to grow, resulting in the ear infection commonly referred to as swimmer's ear.
Signs and Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms that can develop in relation to an ear infection. Mild symptoms usually develop first and progress into more serious symptoms as the bacteria continues to grow and infect the tissue of the ear. Mild symptoms can include redness or itching developing on the affected ear. The ear may also drain clear and odorless fluid. As the infection progresses, itching and pain can get considerably worse, as well as your ear may feel blocked, or sounds may feel muffled in the affected ear. The ear may also start discharging puss. In its advanced stages, a swimming ear infection can cause fever, severe pain, swelling of the ear, and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
Treatment Options
Swimming ear infections are typically caused by a bacteria, which makes anti-bacterial ear drops a first line of treatment for the infection. Your doctor will typically clean the ear first using tools like suction equipment, which helps remove or suck out debris and fluids from the ear. This will allow the drops to better penetrate the infected areas. Drops can also include other factors to fight off bacteria such as acidic solutions to regain pH balance in the ear, steroids to reduce inflammation and antibiotics. In some cases the infection may be caused by fungus. In such cases, an anti-fungal medication may also be used for treatment.
Prevention
To prevent ear infections after swimming it's important to thoroughly and gently dry out your outer ear after swimming with a clean towel. You should also tip your ears to the side to allow any water to drain out of the ears. MayoClinic.com also suggests using a blow dryer on its lowest setting to help dry out the ear. Stay out of the water on days where signs are posted that bacterial counts are high in the water to also reduce your risks for infection.
