Swimmer's ear (otitis externa)
What is swimmer's ear?
Like toothache, earache can be a very painful experience. A particularly nasty cause of such pain is infection of the lining to the ear canal, a condition known as otitis externa. Other names for it are ‘swimmer's ear’ and ‘tropical ear’.
This infection occurs when the skin lining the ear canal is wet for long periods. This usually happens if water is trapped in the ear canal after swimming, or perhaps washing the hair. It can also be present in the generally damp atmosphere of tropical climates. Wet skin becomes soft and soggy, making it much easier for bacterial, and sometimes fungal, infections to take hold. This results in extreme pain and a tender outer ear, which may be sensitive to the lightest touch.
Treatment of swimmer's ear
Treatment usually consists of drops containing a combination of steroids and antibiotics. Sometimes the ear must be cleaned out and a pack inserted to bring the infection under control.
Prevention of swimmer's ear
It should be possible to avoid swimmer's ear by careful attention to drying the ears after swimming and showering. This can be achieved by shaking your head (something dogs do naturally after they have been in water) and gently inserting the rolled-up corner of a towel or handkerchief into the ear canal to absorb the water. Cotton buds should not be used as they are too firm and can easily damage the delicate tissues of the ear.
There are some types of drops, for example Aquaear, that can be used by people with recurrent problems to help prevent swimmer's ear. They work by providing a local drying effect in the ears after swimming and making the conditions in the ear canal inhospitable to bacteria. Some frequent swimmers may find ear plugs to be of help. Cotton wool mixed with Vaseline can be an economical form of such protection.
Last Reviewed: 21 October 2009
- 1. Antibiotic Expert Group. Therapeutic guidelines: Antibiotics. Version 13.
Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, 2006.
2. Rosenfeld RM, Brown L, Cannon CR, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Acute otitis
externa. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgeon.
3. Aquaear Prescribing Information. Wyeth Consumer. Accessed via eMIMS. Date of TGA approved information: 18/06/1999
