Enjoy the Water, But Avoid Swimmer’s Ear

One way to tolerate the summer heat is to take a dip in some cool, refreshing water.

But if you or your children are spending a lot of time swimming, you may be at risk for swimmer’s ear.

Otitis externa, more commonly known as swimmer’s ear, is a painful outer-ear infection that occurs when moisture in the ear breeds bacteria.

The ear canal becomes red, swollen, itchy and scaly, and may ooze greenish or yellow fluid. Symptoms may also include ear pain, which worsens when you pull on the outer ear, and hearing loss.

While it can happen at any age, swimmer’s ear is especially common among children and teenagers. And it can take the fun out of summer festivities.

The good news is that swimmer’s ear is very treatable. If you suspect you or your child has it, it’s best to get it checked out by a doctor who can rule out any more serious conditions. If it’s confirmed that you have swimmer’s ear, your doctor will prescribe ear drops containing antibiotics to clear up the infection.

You may also need oral antibiotics, corticosteroids to reduce itching and inflammation and an over-the-counter medication to relieve pain. Placing a warm (not hot!) compress against the ears may also help reduce pain.

Swimmer’s ear doesn’t usually clear up on its own. And left untreated, it can lead to other problems, so be sure to take care of it promptly. Better yet, keep swimmer’s ear at bay with the following tips:

• Do not scratch the ears or insert cotton swabs, fingers or other objects in the ears.

• Leave earwax alone—it’s the ear’s natural defense against germs. Trying to remove it can cause irritation or wounds that can become infected.

• Keep ears clean and dry, and do not let water enter the ears when showering, shampooing or bathing. Use earplugs when swimming.

• Dry ears thoroughly after any exposure to moisture. This includes swimming, bathing and showering.

• Don’t swim in polluted water.

• Consider tight swim caps or wetsuit hoods for added protection.

One last tip: If you swim a lot or have had swimmer’s ear in the past, you can prevent bacteria from growing in moist ears by placing a drop of a solution made from one part rubbing alcohol and one part white vinegar in each ear. You can also find a similar over-the-counter alcohol-based eardrop solution.