Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal brought on by a moist environment or trauma to the ear canal. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear may include itching, pain, drainage, swelling, redness to ear and face, hearing loss, and swollen lymph nodes. Treatment by a physician may include antibiotic ear drops, cleaning of ear canal, oral antibiotics, steroids, placement of ear wick (if canal is very swollen) and analgesics. 

If you have any of these symptoms, contact one of our ENT Physicians.

 

Reduce your risk:

• Use *plugs when swimming and bathing

• Avoid inserting anything in ear canal

• Avoid swimming in polluted water

• Avoid prolonged use of ear buds

• Keep ears free of excessive wax

• Keep soap or shampoo out of ear canals

After water exposure, if the ear drum is intact, use over-the-counter swimmer’s ear drops or a 50/50 rubbing alcohol/vinegar solution, then dry ears with a blow dryer on the lowest setting at arm’s length.

*Our audiologists offer custom ear plugs