Keep Calm and Dry Your Ears: Preventing and Managing Swimmer’s Ear

Understanding Swimmer’s Ear

Summer is perfect for swimming, but swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, can ruin the fun. Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear canal infection. When water gets trapped in your ear, it can create an ideal environment for bacteria or fungi to thrive. This leads to irritation, inflammation, and pain. It can be acute, appearing suddenly and resolving quickly, or chronic, persisting over a longer period.

 

Who’s Most at Risk?

 

Anyone can get swimmer’s ear, but certain people are more at risk. Frequent swimmers and those who use cotton swabs to clean their ears are more susceptible. Those with narrow ear canals, skin conditions like eczema, or who use hearing aids also have a higher risk. Proper ear care and avoiding irritants can help reduce these risks.

A person wearing a swim cap does the freestyle stroke.

  • Frequent Swimmers and Water Enthusiasts

The more time you spend in the water, the higher the chance of developing swimmer’s ear. Pools, lakes, and oceans can all pose risks, especially if the water is not clean.

 

  • Cotton Swab Users

Cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, causing irritation and trapping moisture. This can disrupt the ear’s natural protective barrier.

 

  • Narrow Ear Canal

People with narrow ear canals are more prone to water being trapped, providing a breeding ground for bacteria or fungi.

  • Skin Conditions

Conditions like eczema or psoriasis can make the skin in your ear canal more susceptible to irritation and infection. Proper skin care and avoiding water exposure can help manage this risk.

 

  • Hearing Aid Users

Hearing aids can trap moisture in the ear canal, especially if not cleaned and dried correctly. However, you don’t need to stop using hearing aids. There are ways to manage this risk effectively.

 

Recognizing the Signs of Swimmer’s Ear

 

Swimmer’s ear symptoms can range from mild to severe and often start gradually. Recognizing the symptoms early can help prevent complications.

 

Mild Symptoms

  • Itching in the ear canal
  • Slight redness inside the ear
  • Mild discomfort when pulling the outer ear
  • Clear, odorless fluid drainage

 

Moderate Symptoms

  • Increased itching and pain
  • More redness and swelling
  • Excessive fluid drainage
  • A feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Muffled hearing

 

Advanced Symptoms

  • Severe pain radiating to the face, neck, or head
  • Complete blockage of the ear canal
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever

 

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly to avoid further complications.

 

Treatment Options

 

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a speedy recovery and to prevent potential complications. Your doctor may:

 

  • Clean your ear canal to remove debris and allow eardrops to reach the infected area
  • Prescribe eardrops, which may include antibiotics, antifungals, or steroids
  • Recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen

 

For more severe infections, oral antibiotics might be necessary. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the prescribed course of treatment.

 

Managing Summer with Hearing Aids

Hearing aid users need to take extra precautions to prevent swimmer’s ear. Moisture can accumulate in hearing aids and the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection. Here are some tips to help you manage summer activities with hearing aids.

 

  • Minimize Water Exposure: Limit the time your hearing aids spend in direct contact with water. Avoid submerging your head and choose activities that keep your head above water.
  • Waterproof Accessories: Consider using waterproof sleeves or sweat guards for hearing aids. These accessories can create a barrier to minimize moisture reaching the internal components.
  • Drying Techniques: After water exposure, dry your hearing aids thoroughly with a soft cloth. Some hearing aid models come with drying kits that use desiccant packets to absorb moisture. Regular cleaning and maintenance are also essential. Use a dry cleaning brush and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to remove sweat, earwax, or debris.
  • Open-Ear Styles: Open-ear hearing aid styles can allow better airflow and reduce moisture buildup if suitable. Discuss this option with your hearing healthcare professional.
  • Don’t Forget Your Ears: Gently dry your outer ears with a towel after swimming. For those prone to swimmer’s ear, use a blow dryer on the lowest setting held at least a foot from the ear. Ensure the air is not hot to avoid burns.

A woman in a bathrobe points her hair dryer at her ear.

Prevention Tips

 

Prevent swimmer’s ear by keeping your ears dry and avoiding irritants. Here are some practical tips:

 

  • Use earplugs when swimming
  • Avoid inserting objects like cotton swabs into your ears
  • Tilt your head to drain water after swimming or showering
  • Gently dry your ears with a towel
  • Use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry your ears
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about ear drops to help dry your ears

 

Know the Difference

 

Swimmer’s ear affects the outer ear canal, while ear infections impact the middle ear. Swimmer’s ear causes itching and redness, whereas ear infections often result in fever and hearing loss. If you feel pain when tugging your outer ear, it’s likely swimmer’s ear.

 

When to See a Doctor

 

Contact your doctor if you experience symptoms of swimmer’s ear, especially if you have severe pain, fever, or persistent symptoms. Early treatment can prevent complications and speed up recovery.

 

Don’t Let Moisture Affect Your Summer

 

Enjoy swimming and summer activities without the discomfort of swimmer’s ear. For personalized advice or concerns, contact Stanford Hearing today. Stay dry, and keep enjoying the summer!