Swimmers Ear

Swimmers ear, also known as Otitis Externa is an infection in the outer ear canal running from your eardrum to your head. It is often caused by water gathering in your ear which allows bacteria to grow. It is called swimmers ear because it is often experienced by regular swimmers. That being said, anyone can get swimmer’s ear, especially in the warmer months when people tend to spend more time in the water. There are several signs of swimmer’s ear, but thankfully these can be treated with ear drops.

Symptoms

Swimmers ear symptoms can range from mild to very severe.

These symptoms include:

• Itchiness in your ear canal.

• Slight redness inside your ear.

• Mild discomfort.

• Minor drainage of clear fluid.

• Increasing pain.

• Muffled hearing.

• Feeling of fullness in your ear from swelling or debris.

• Swelling of your lymph nodes.

What Causes Swimmers Ear?

If you find yourself with swimmers ear it means your ears natural defences have been overwhelmed. Bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, moist places, so your inner ear is an ideal place for them to multiply and cause infection. Exposure to contaminated water can also cause swimmers ear, along with damage to the sensitive skin in the ear canal caused by earbuds or fingernails. Sticking anything in your ear has the potential to scratch your ear canal and cause infection. The bacteria that cause swimmers ear is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Complications

It is uncommon for swimmers’ ear to develop into further complications if treated in time. But complications can still happen.

Possible issues include:

• Temporary hearing loss. You might experience muffled hearing until the infection clears.

• Chronic Otitis Externa (long term infection). If the infection lasts for longer than 3 months it is considered chronic.

• Deep tissue infection (cellulitis). In very rare circumstances the infection can spread into deep layers and connective tissues of the skin.

• Bone and cartilage damage (early skull base osteomyelitis). This happens in rare cases when swimmers ear spreads to the outer ear and this infection then spreads to the cartilage or bone.

Prevention

To prevent any risk of getting swimmers ear, follow these steps:

• Keep your ears as dry as possible. After showering or swimming, tip your head to the side to drain excess water. Following this, dry your ears with a towel or use a hair dryer at a low heat. Alternatively, you could use ear plugs to prevent any moisture in the ear.

• Don’t stick anything in your ear. This includes, earbuds, finger nails or any other object that may damage the skin.

• Be wise while swimming. Don’t swim in any contaminated water and always obey warning signs.

• If you have had an ear infection recently, speak with your doctor before going swimming.

If you would like more information on swimmers ear, give us a call on 021 234 1239 or book online.