Water & Ear Pain

Ear pain caused by frequent exposure to water is often known as swimmer's ear, according to the Mayo Clinic. An infection usually caused by bacteria develops in the skin that lines the ear canal. Doctors refer to swimmer's ear as acute external otitis. Itching, redness, limited drainage and mild pain are frequently experienced with swimmer's ear. Prompt treatment keeps further and more severe symptoms from occurring.

Causes

• Swimmer's ear is caused by excess moisture in the ear canal from trapped water, frequent swimming or bathing, or even humid conditions. Prolonged contact with water thins the protective wax inside the ear canal and infection takes hold. Most infections are bacterial, though some may be caused by viruses or fungi. Swimmers are at higher risk of developing swimmer's ear, as are those with excess ear wax, irritation, and scratches or abrasion in the ear canal. Wearing a hearing aid, swimming cap or anything else that can trap water in the ear also increases the risk.

Risks

• Swimmer's ear is not generally a serious condition if treated promptly, but further complications can arise in some circumstances. Temporary hearing loss is common until the infection begins to clear. Infection sometimes spreads to other areas or becomes resistant to treatment, resulting in a long-term infection. In some cases, infection spreads to bones, cartilage and connective tissues deep in the skin.

Diagnosis

• Your physician usually diagnoses swimmer's ear by taking your medical history and examining the ear with an otoscope. The ear canal generally shows redness, swelling and flaking, telltale signs of swimmer's ear. Along with your reported symptoms, this is enough to confirm the diagnosis. In advanced cases of infection, the eardrum sometimes ruptures and allows infection to move in. These more severe infections need to be addressed by an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Treatment

• Treatment stops the infection and promotes healing. Your physician might need to clean excess skin and debris from the canal, allowing medicated ear drops to reach the site of infection. Slightly acidic ear drops will return your ear to its normal state, which inhibits bacterial growth. Antibiotics work for bacterial infections; anti-fungals will be prescribed for the rarer fungal infection. Steroids may be used to reduce inflammation. During treatment, avoid swimming or putting your head under water while bathing. Don't put anything in the ear, such as cotton swabs, ear plugs or hearing aids, which stop the ear up and push bacteria deeper into the canal.

Prevention

• Prevent future infections by keeping the ear dry at all times. After swimming or bathing, dry the outer area of the ear with a towel; never push anything into the ear canal. Swim only in clean water, and protect your ears from hairspray or other substances that may land in the canal and promote infection. If you swim frequently, consider buying an over-the-counter ear drop to use before and after swimming to prevent infection.