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Home › Articles › Nutrition and Health › Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's Ear

Quick Treatment Is Key

Pages:  1  2  

As children seek refuge from the summer heat in pools and lakes, parents should be alert for the symptoms of painful swimmer's ear. To avoid unnecessary discomfort, Texas Children's Hospital specialists recommend the ailment be treated as soon as symptoms appear and that swimmers stay out of the water until it is healed.

"Swimmer's ear is characterized by an inflammation and irritation of the external auditory canal," says Dr. Jan Drutz, chief of the residents' primary care group clinic at Texas Children's Hospital and professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. "Itching can occur; however, pain is the most common symptom. Gentle movement of the outer cartilaginous portion of the ear, particularly the skin-covered cartilage just in front of the opening to the ear canal, can cause extreme discomfort. The external auditory canal becomes red and swollen, and in severe cases, the canal can swell shut. The patient does not run a high fever or risk hearing loss; however, the pain usually is intense."

Swimmer's Ear Symptoms
  • Although itching can occur, pain is the most common symptom of swimmer's ear.
  • The external auditory canal is inflamed and irritated.
  • In severe cases, the external auditory canal can swell shut.
  • If fever is present, it is usually low grade.

During swimming, water entering the external auditory canal can cause a change in the normal acidity of the canal. The membranous canal normally is protected by a coating of ear wax. When the hydrogen ion concentration (pH, or normal acidity) of the canal is changed, it becomes susceptible to infection.

Once swimmer's ear is diagnosed, oral medications containing acetaminophen, ibuprofen or stronger pain relievers may be prescribed. The child's physician also may prescribe liquid drops containing a pain reliever to be applied into the external canal, according to Dr. Drutz. "It's important to address the infection," says Dr. Drutz. "If the infection is bacterial, ear drop antibiotics – some of which also may contain steroids – are prescribed to treat the infection and reduce inflammation of the canal. If the condition does not improve, it may be caused by a fungal infection that may require anti-fungal agents."

Swimmer's Ear Treatment
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