Do I Have Swimmer’s Ear?

Do you have itching inside the ear?

Do you have redness inside your ear canal?

Do you have pain inside your ear that gets worse when you pull on the earlobe or press the tragus (the flap of tissue at the ear opening)?

Do you have feeling of fullness inside your ear (sensation that your ear is blocked by swelling, fluid and debris)?

Do you have decreased or muffled hearing on the affected ear?

Do you have drainage from the ear canal (mostly clear, odorless liquid, but it can also be purulent discharge, which can smell bad)?

Do you have intense pain in your ear that may spread to the neck, face, or side of the head?

Do you have swollen lymph nodes around the ear or in the upper neck?

Does your outer ear appear red and swollen and have a rash-like appearance?

Do you have fever?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear is also known as acute otitis externa, and can be caused by infection, inflammation, or irritation of the outer ear and the ear canal. Despite its name, you do not have to swim to get swimmer's ear. This condition can also be caused by water after taking a shower or by cleaning your ears with a cotton swab. To keep your ears healthy dry them thoroughly after swimming or bathing by wiping them gently with a soft towel. However, if you feel any discomfort in your ears, please consult your ENT specialist.

Based on your answers it is possible that you have swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear is also called acute otitis externa and it is a common condition often seen in the summer. Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the skin covering the outer ear and ear canal and can be very painful. When your ear is exposed to excess moisture, water can be trapped in your ear canal which leads to infection. Please, make an appointment with your ENT specialist who will recommend appropriate treatment that may consists of a professional cleaning, topical drops or oral medications, depending on the severity of your symptoms.