Swimming is one of the most popular summer activities, especially for kids. Long days spent at the pool, lake, or water park are fun-filled and make great summertime memories. However, spending a lot of time in the water can also lead to swimmers’ ear.
Swimmer’s ear is a common infection that affects the outer portion of the ear canal, in front of the eardrum.
Most ear infections are treatable, but getting proper swimmer’s ear treatment if your child has symptoms can help clear it up sooner and prevent complications. Learning the signs of swimmer’s ear will help you keep your child safe and healthy for outdoor activities all summer long.
What Is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is an infection in the outer ear canal. They can cause swelling, redness, pain, or discharge in the area between the opening to the ear and the eardrum.
They develop when moisture gets trapped in the outer ear canal, which can happen without swimming. Excess moisture promotes the growth of bacteria or fungi, which leads to redness, inflammation, and pain.
Swimmer’s ear is different from middle ear infections (otitis media), which occur behind the eardrum. Both types of ear infection can cause hearing loss if left untreated.
It’s important to see a healthcare provider to get swimmer’s ear treatment.
How Long Does Swimmer’s Ear Last?
You can’t heal swimmer’s ear without treatment. The infection will get worse or spread to the surrounding area, including the face, skull, or brain. This can lead to serious complications, including permanent hearing loss. You should see a healthcare provider as soon as you notice symptoms so you can begin treatment right away.
Treatment includes ear drops to reduce inflammation and treat the infection. Most people feel better within 3 days of starting swimmer’s ear drops. If you wait to get care, the infection may be more severe, and symptoms may last longer, even after starting treatment.
If you continue to treat it as directed, the infection will clear up completely within 7-10 days.
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Water in the ear after swimming is the most common cause of swimmer’s ear, but it’s not the only thing that can increase the risk of infection. Other causes include:
- Trapped moisture: Swimming, bathing, sweating, and humidity can trap moisture in the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection.
- Earbuds and hearing aids can worsen trapped moisture by preventing the ears from drying out. They can also introduce bacteria or fungi if they’re not properly cleaned.
- Foreign objects: Inserting cotton swabs, fingernails, or other objects into the ear can irritate the skin and remove too much earwax.
- Skin conditions: Underlying conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can make the skin more delicate and prone to irritation and infection.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
Unlike middle ear infections, where the symptoms can include pressure, fever, and pain deep inside the ear, the symptoms of swimmer’s ear affect the outer parts of the ear. Symptoms start mild and get worse the longer the infection goes without treatment.
Mild symptoms:
- Itching inside the ear,
- Slight redness,
- Mild discomfort when pulling the earlobe or pressing the tragus
Moderate symptoms:
- Increased itching
- Pain
- Ear drainage (clear/odorless)
- Muffled hearing
- Feeling of fullness in the ear canal
Severe symptoms:
- Intense pain
- Complete ear blockage
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Redness and swelling of the outer ear
If you suspect you or your child has swimmer’s ear, you can visit an urgent care clinic. The team at Next Level Urgent Care can evaluate symptoms, examine your ears, and prescribe treatment so you start feeling better soon.
Home Treatment and Over-the-Counter Relief
A health care professional can assess the infection and advise you on how to treat swimmer’s ear. For mild symptoms, they may suggest over-the-counter treatments, such as:
- Acetic drops: Ear drops made from a mixture of alcohol and vinegar .
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce the pain, as can holding a warm, dry compress on the outside of the ear
- Drying drops: Alcohol-based ear drops can help evaporate water, or try using a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting to help dry the ear.
You should avoid getting your ears wet during treatment. You shouldn’t insert anything in the ear, so use over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds until your ear has healed.
You should not use cotton swabs, ear candles, or essential oils for an ear infection, as this can make it worse.?
If symptoms get worse or don’t improve after 24–48 hours, visit your healthcare provider. They will examine your ears and may clean the ear canal, which helps drops work more effectively.
You may need a prescription antibiotic or antifungal eardrops, as well as eardrops containing a corticosteroid to bring down inflammation. Â If your ear canal is severely swollen, a healthcare provider may insert a small, absorbent wick to help deliver the drops.
In rare cases, such as if the infection has spread, you may need to take oral antibiotics.
Preventing Swimmer’s Ear
You can reduce the risk of swimmer’s ear by keeping your ears dry and protecting the delicate skin in the ear canal.
Try using earplugs when swimming to keep water out of the ear canal. Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering by tilting your head and gently pulling your earlobe to drain water.
You can also use a hair dryer on a low/cool setting. Ask your doctor about over-the-counter drying drops or using a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part rubbing alcohol to prevent infection.
Don’t put foreign objects, such as cotton swabs, in your ears, and avoid scratching your ears with your fingers. Over-cleaning the ears removes protective earwax, increasing the risk of outer ear infections.
Take breaks from using earbuds and hearing aids, and make sure to clean them properly before using them.
Find Relief From Swimmer’s Ear at an Urgent Care Center Near You
Swimmer’s ear is uncomfortable but highly treatable. Recognizing symptoms early and getting prompt treatment at urgent care prevents complications and speeds recovery. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice ear pain or swelling.
Next Level Urgent Care offers convenient access to care for swimmer’s ear or middle ear infections in adults and children. Our staff can evaluate your ears and provide prescription treatment as needed. With locations across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, you can find care where you need it. All of our locations are open seven days per week, from 9 am to 9 pm.
We welcome walk-in visits, or you can use our mobile app to check in online and skip the wait.
