Swimmer’s ear

I know this condition very well having had it several times.

What is it?

In swimmer’s ear, the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside, becomes infected.

What causes it?

While it often results from water left in your ear after swimming, it can also be caused by putting cotton buds or your fingers deep into your ears.

What are the symptoms?

Itching inside your ear and redness of the fleshy part of your ear with a clear odourless fluid seeping out. These symptoms may worsen if the infection isn’t treated, moving to muffled hearing and severe pain that spreads to your face, neck or side of your head. You may get a fever and swelling in the lymph glands in your neck.

What’s the treatment?

Eardrops will be prescribed with different ingredients, depending on the type and seriousness of your infection.

„Cleaning your outer ear canal is necessary to help eardrops get to all infected areas. Your doctor will use a suction device or ear curette to clean your ear.„

Over-the-counter painkillers can help ease the discomfort. If your pain is severe your doctor might prescribe a stronger medication for pain relief.

Dos and don’ts

Don’t go swimming and don’t fly.„

Don’t put earplugs, a hearing aid or earbuds in your ear before pain or discharge has stopped.„

Make sure you don’t get any water in your ear while showering or bathing.„

You can use a cotton wool ball dipped in petroleum jelly to protect your ear.