Swimmer's Ear

Prevention and Risk Assessment

• What is swimmer’s ear?

  Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation of the external ear canal. Swimmer’s ear is caused by fungi or bacteria. Water that stays in the ear canal during swimming, for example, may let bacteria and fungi grow.

• What causes swimmer’s ear in a child?

  Many different things can make it more likely for your child to get swimmer's ear. Swimming or being in other wet, humid conditions are common causes. Other possible conditions that may lead to the development of swimmer's ear include:

  • Rough cleaning of the ear canal
  • Injury to the ear canal
  • Dry skin in the ear canal
  • Foreign object in the ear canal
  • Skin conditions such as eczema and other kinds of dermatitis

• Which children are at risk for swimmer’s ear?

  Children are more likely to get swimmer’s ear if they:

  • Go swimming for long periods of time, especially in lake water. Less likely in appropriately maintained recreational pools or ocean. 
  • Failure to remove excess moisture after swimming
  • Injury the ear canal, such as cleaning it too often or scratching it
  • Use hearing aids, earphones, or swimming caps
  • Have skin irritation from allergies or other skin conditions
  • Narrow ear canal

• What can I do to prevent swimmer’s ear in my child?

  The following are some tips to help prevent swimmer’s ear:

  • Use ear plugs for swimming or bathing.
  • Gently clean your child’s ear canal.
  • Dry ears well, especially after swimming.
  • Don't use cotton swabs in the ears.

  Another tip to help dry the ears is to use a hair dryer set to the low or cool setting. Hold the dryer at least 12 inches from your child’s head. Wave the dryer slowly back and forth. Don’t hold it still.

  Your child’s health care provider may recommend drops to help dry the ears.

Diagnosis

• What are the symptoms of swimmer’s ear in a child?

  Swimmer’s ear can cause the following symptoms:

  • Redness of the outer ear
  • Itching in the ear
  • Pain, especially when touching or wiggling the ear lobe
  • Drainage from the ear
  • Swollen glands in the neck
  • Swollen ear canal
  • Muffled hearing or hearing loss
  • Full or plugged-up feeling in the ear

  The symptoms of swimmer's ear may look like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her health care provider for a diagnosis.

• How is swimmer’s ear diagnosed in a child?

  Your child’s health care provider will ask questions about your child’s health history and current symptoms. He or she will examine your child, including the ears. The provider may use a lighted instrument called an otoscope to look in your child’s ear. This will help the provider know if there is also an infection in the middle ear called otitis media. Although this infection usually does not occur with swimmer’s ear, some children may have both types of infections.

  Your child’s health care provider may also take a culture of the drainage from the ear to help figure out the best treatment.

Treatment

• How is swimmer’s ear treated in a child?

  Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Swimmer’s ear, when properly treated by a health care provider, usually clears up within seven to ten days. Treatment may include:

  • Antibiotic ear drops
  • Corticosteroid ear drops
  • Pain medicine
  • Keeping the ear dry

• What are the possible complications of swimmer's ear in a child?

  Complications of swimmer’s ear include:

  • Temporary hearing loss from a swollen and inflamed ear canal
  • Ear infections that keep coming back
  • Bone and cartilage damage
  • Infection of the tissue around the ear 
  • Infections that spread from the ear to the bones of the head or skull