Nothing puts a damper on a great summer day in the pool quite like a throbbing earache that shows up the next morning. Swimmer’s ear is incredibly common, very treatable, and in most cases, completely preventable.
What Is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear, known medically as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal, the passage between the outside of your ear and the eardrum. It is different from the middle ear infections more common in young children. Swimmer’s ear lives on the outside.
It happens when water gets trapped in the ear canal and creates a warm, moist environment that bacteria love. Pool water, lake water, and even bath water can all be the culprit. You do not actually have to be a swimmer to get it; a long bath or excessive ear cleaning can trigger the same conditions.
How Do You Know If You Have It?
Swimmer’s ear usually comes on within a day or two of water exposure. Symptoms tend to start mild and get worse if left untreated.
Early Signs: Itching inside the ear canal, mild redness, and some discomfort when you tug on the outer ear or press the small flap in front of the ear opening.
Moderate Symptoms: Increasing pain, more intense itching, fluid draining from the ear, and a feeling of fullness or muffled hearing.
Severe Symptoms: Severe pain that radiates into the jaw or neck, significant swelling of the ear canal, fever, and swollen lymph nodes nearby.
If you are in the mild or moderate stage, this is exactly the kind of thing a TAP provider can help with quickly. Severe symptoms warrant prompt in-person care.
How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
A few simple habits go a long way toward keeping swimmer’s ear out of your summer.
- Dry your ears after swimming. Tilt your head to each side after getting out of the water and gently tug on the earlobe to help water drain. Use a towel to dry the outer ear, but avoid inserting anything into the canal itself.
- Try a blow dryer on a low setting. Holding a hair dryer several inches from your ear on the lowest heat setting can help evaporate any remaining moisture in the canal. Keep it moving and do not hold it too close.
- Use preventive ear drops. A simple solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar can help dry out the ear canal and restore its natural pH after swimming. A few drops in each ear, let it sit briefly, then let it drain. Check with a provider before trying this if you have ever had a perforated eardrum or ear tubes.
- Wear swim earplugs. If you or your kids spend a lot of time in the pool, fitted swim earplugs are a worthwhile investment. They significantly reduce the amount of water that enters the ear canal in the first place.
- Be cautious in lakes and ponds. Natural bodies of water carry higher bacterial loads than treated pools. If water quality is uncertain, that risk extends to your ears as well.
- Stop cleaning inside your ears. A clean, intact ear canal is your best natural defense against infection. Resist the habit.
- Put Down the Cotton Swab: Cleaning your ears with cotton swabs is one of the most common causes of swimmer’s ear. Swabs push debris deeper into the canal, strip away the protective coating of earwax, and can cause small abrasions that make infection far more likely.
How Is It Treated?
Most cases of swimmer’s ear are treated with prescription antibiotic ear drops. A provider will typically ask about your symptoms, how long they have been present, and whether you have a history of ear problems before recommending treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage discomfort while the drops do their work.
Most people feel significantly better within a few days of starting treatment. While recovering, it is best to stay out of the water until symptoms fully resolve. Getting water in an already-infected ear canal slows healing and can make things worse.
Think It Might Be Swimmer’s Ear?
A TAP provider can review your symptoms and get a prescription sent to your pharmacy in minutes. No waiting room. No appointment. A doctor is just a TAP away.
This article is for general health information only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. If you are experiencing severe pain, fever, or significant swelling, please seek in-person medical care promptly.
