Treating Swimmer's Ear

CANTON – Spending time in the water is great all year long. But sometimes it can lead to water inside the ears causing issues like swimmer’s ear. While outdoor swimming may be coming to an end for the season, many individuals will continue to be in pools during the cooler months.

Being able to spend time swimming indoors or outside is a great way to move your body. For some people, swimming leads to extra water getting trapped in the ear canal and can unfortunately lead to ear infections. Rochester Regional Health ears, nose, and throat experts share how to recognize and treat the condition, and how to avoid it in the future.

Causes and Symptoms Of Swimmer’s Ear

Everyone’s ears have a protective layer of wax and skin that helps to keep the inner ear safe from debris and potential infection. However, if someone has water that remains in the outer ear canal for a long period of time, that protection can wear down and increases the potential for infection.

“Swimmer’s ear is associated with swimming, but you can also get it from the shower or sweat getting in your ear,” said St. Lawrence Region Otolaryngologist Mark Frey, MD, at the St. Lawrence Health Medical Campus in Canton.

The telltale signs of swimmer’s ear are:

drainage from the ear

itchy feeling inside the ear

pain from tugging/pressing on outer ear

redness/swelling inside the ear

Avoid putting anything inside the ear to relieve the pain; using a cotton swab or other objects can cause more skin damage, which can lead to increased opportunities for bacteria to spread and grow.

Diagnosing And Treating Swimmer’s Ear

Providers can diagnose swimmer’s ear by looking at a patient’s external ear canal using a tool called an otoscope. This allows them to see inside the ear and recognize any signs of swelling or excess fluid that might be trapped.

Most patients are prescribed antibiotic ear drops to clear up any infection, and when used as directed, the infection should resolve in five to seven days. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken to help with any pain or discomfort.

“It’s best to stay out of the water if you still have an ear infection,” said Rochester Regional Health Primary Care provider Scott Allan, MD, with the Urgent Care in Greece. “Allowing the ear to dry out will help with the healing process and let you get back to normal quickly.”

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

There are a few simple ways to help prevent swimmer’s ear, most of which are things to do after getting out of the water.

· After swimming or showering, tilt your head back and forth to let the water drain out of each ear and pull your earlobes in different directions to help with the draining process. Use a towel to dry out your ears as well.

· If you can still feel water inside your ears, use a hairdryer on its lowest heat setting to help dry out your ear canals.

· While swimming, consider using a bathing cap or ear plugs to prevent any water from getting inside your inner ear.

To learn more about ears, nose and throat services offered by Dr. Frey across the St. Lawrence Region, visit https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/Services/ENT.