Keeping Swimmer's Ear at Bay

Swimmer's ear

If you have ever had swimmer's ear, chances are you have wanted to pull the plug on the pain.

"When water is trapped in the ear canal for a long time, the skin barrier is weakened," said Dr. Jeffrey Vrabec, an associate professor of otorhinolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "Bacteria can then enter the skin, causing an infection that can become very painful."

Swimmer's ear, or otitis externa, is an inflammation of the outer ear that is most often caused by the accumulation of excess moisture from swimming or daily showering. Symptoms of swimmer's ear include swelling, redness, itching, muffled hearing and/or discharge from the ear. Antibiotic drops are used to treat the condition, and pain can be lessened by applying a warm cloth to the ear or by using a heating pad.

"If severe swelling occurs, it helps to place a cotton wick in the ear to prevent further inflammation and help to control pain," Vrabec said.

To help prevent swimmer's ear, Vrabec recommends the following for susceptible individuals:

• Wear earplugs and a cap when swimming to reduce the chance of water becoming trapped inside the ear.

• Use alcohol-based drops before and after swimming and showering.

• Use a hairdryer to dry the ear canal to prevent water build-up and infection.

• After getting out of the shower or pool, lie down on the affected ear to help remove excess water. Dry ears are less likely to become infected.

• Do not use cotton swabs to remove excess water from the ear. This can pack material deeper into the narrow ear canal, which can irritate the skin and make it bleed.

"It is important not to clean the ear excessively in an attempt to prevent infection," Vrabec said. "Vigorous cleansing could damage and break down the skin barrier, making a bacterial infection more likely."