Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is an inflammation of the outer ear canal. Although it is most prevalent among young adults and children. Often contracted due to frequent swimming, and even from showering.  Swimming in polluted water can easily bring harmful bacteria into the outer ear.

Swimmer's ear can lead to a painful and often itchy infection. The skin inside the ear canal may flake due to moisture. This flaking may cause persistent itching that may lead to a break in the skin from scratching. Broken skin allows bacteria or a fungus to infect the tissues lining the ear canal. 

The diagnosis of swimmer's ear is made from clinical observation. The doctor looks inside the ear with an instrument called an otoscope. The otoscope allows him or her to see whether there is swelling, redness, and a discharge.

Tips to Help prevent Swimmer's Ear

• Drying your ears immediately after swimming (or even showering) is a good habit to get into. Removing excess moisture reduces the chance of bacterial growth and therefore reduces the chance of infection.
•  Ear plugs are great way to minimize the amount of water that enters your ear while swimming.
• Don’t use cotton swabs to remove ear wax. They may pack ear wax and dirt deeper into the ear canal.
• Avoiding in-ear headphone usage.

The Team at Gateway Urgent Care