Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)

Also known as swimmer's ear, otitis externa is swelling in the outer ear canal (tube leading to inside your ear). This swelling can cause a painful infection. It is called swimmer's ear because it is often seen in young persons who swim frequently.

Symptoms:

• Inside your ear is itchy
• Watery stuff coming out of your ear
• Really hurts in your ear, especially when you move your head or pull on your earlobe
• Yellow color drainage from your ear that smells bad
• Cannot hear as well as normal

How do you get Otitis Externa?

• You can get it from the inside of your ear canal staying wet, especially after swimming or showering. The wetness can cause dry skin in your ear canal that may lead to small open areas. The small open areas can let bacteria or fungus get in the ear tissue and infect it.
• If you have skin problems like dermatitis or psoriasis
• Taking too much of the wax out of your ears. The wax protects the ear canal from wetness and it has bacteria in it that is healthy for your ear.
• Anything that might bother your skin like hair coloring or hair spray

Prevention:

• Wipe your ear canal with a clean washcloth only. Never dig in your ear, especially with a sharp object.
• When you go swimming wear earplugs. When you are done swimming, shake your head easily from side to side to help the water drain out.
• Do not swim in dirty water
• Use a shower cap or earplugs in the shower.
• You can dry out your ears and help kill germs after swimming or showering by putting a dropper full of rubbing alcohol or white vinegar in your ear. Move your head back and forth and then let the liquid drain out.
• You can put a dropperful of mineral oil or baby oil in your ear before swimming or showering to help protect your ear canal.
• If you wear a hearing aid, you need to take it out as often as possible to let your ear canal dry out.

Treatment:

• Many times the infection will get better by itself in a few days.
• The doctor may clean your ear with a cotton swab to help relieve the pain (do not do this yourself).
• Sometimes you need a prescription for ear drops that have a steroid in them to help with the itching and an antibiotic to fight the infection.
• Make sure you keep water out of your ears.

See your doctor return to the Emergency Department IF:

• You are dizzy or have ringing in your ears.
• Your ears hurt a lot.
• You have a rash on your head near your ears, because you may have seborrheic dermatitis.