Swimmers Ear Infection Symptoms

Swimmer's ear is a painful infection that can stem from extended time in the water and not drying or cleaning the ears properly following swimming. Symptoms are readily apparent and easy to diagnose, and treatment is simple. Contrary to popular belief, swimmer's ear can be contracted outside of the water, but it is generally caused from swimming in conjunction with a scratch inside the ear.

Identification

• According to mayoclinic.com, swimmer's ear is "an infection of the ear canal. In most cases, bacteria cause this infection in the thin layer of skin lining the canal." It is called swimmer's ear because too much time in the water can cause the thin skin of the ear canal to crack or break, allowing bacteria or fungi to enter.

First Symptoms

• Early symptoms can include an itchy ear canal, redness of the ear canal, odorless fluid in the ear canal and mild discomfort. These will appear very early on during the outset of the infection.

Moderate Symptoms

• When the infection progresses to a moderate state, symptoms such as increased fluid drainage, redness spreading outside the ear canal, pus, muffled or reduced hearing, and pain when touching the outer ear can develop.

Severe Symptoms

• Severe symptoms can include severe and debilitating pain in the ear, redness of the entirety of the outer ear, swollen lymph nodes around the ear as well as the neck, and scaly, itchy skin flaking off the outer ear.

Treatment

• Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms and infection, but most treatments involved ear drops that contain antibiotics. According to kidshealth.org, if swelling is particularly bad, the doctor might have to clean the ear first or use a special cotton instrument to carry antibiotics into the ear canal. Pain can be treated with over-the-counter medication. The infection can be eliminated within seven to 10 days in most cases.

Prevention

• Using ear drops made up of diluted alcohol after swimming as well as gently towel-drying the ear canal can help prevent infections immensely. Avoiding putting objects in the ear can also help prevent tearing or scratches of the ear canal.