That muffled, sloshing feeling of water trapped in your ear after a swim or shower can be incredibly annoying and sometimes even a little worrying. While sometimes it resolves on its own, this persistent moisture can create the perfect breeding ground for a common condition known as swimmer's ear.
This blog post will walk you through what swimmer's ear actually is, providing clear steps on how to get rid of it and offering essential tips to help you prevent this uncomfortable issue from recurring.
What is a Swimmer's Ear?
Swimmer's ear, medically known as otitis externa, is essentially an infection that affects the outer ear canal — the tube that runs from the outside of your ear to your eardrum. This infection is often triggered by water that remains in the ear canal after swimming, showering or even excessive sweating.
Potential Causes of a Swimmer's Ear
The two most common reasons for swimmer's ear include:
- Prolonged Moisture in the Ear Canal: Retained moisture in the ear canal softens the skin lining, making it more vulnerable to bacteria and fungi that are naturally present.
- Damage to the Ear Canal Lining: Apart from excess moisture, actions like using cotton swabs can cause tiny scratches, providing an entry point for bacteria and fungi to establish an infection.
Symptoms of Swimmer's Ear
Recognising the symptoms of swimmer's ear early can help you seek timely treatment and find relief. Here are some common signs to watch out for:
- Ear Pain: This is often the most noticeable symptom and can range from a mild discomfort that worsens when you tug on your earlobe, to intense pain that makes it difficult to sleep or chew.
- Itching in the Ear Canal: Before the pain sets in, you might experience an irritating itch deep inside your ear canal, which can be quite persistent and uncomfortable to ignore.
- Redness and Swelling of the Outer Ear: The skin around the opening of your ear — and even the outer part of your ear itself — might become visibly red and swollen, indicating inflammation.
- Discharge from the Ear: You may notice fluid draining from your ear, which can be clear, cloudy, white, yellow or even slightly bloody, depending on the severity and type of infection.
- Reduced Hearing or a Feeling of Fullness: The inflammation and potential blockage from discharge can sometimes lead to a temporary reduction in your hearing, or a sensation that your ear is clogged or full.
Medical Treatments for Swimmer's Ear
It’s important to treat a swimmer's ear as soon as possible for a quicker recovery. Here are some remedies to consider:
- Home Remedies: For mild cases, keep the ear dry and consider over-the-counter ear drops for some relief. However, if your symptoms don't improve quickly or worsen, it’s best to seek professional medical advice.
- Ear Cleaning by a Doctor: The doctor will gently clean your ear canal to remove debris and infected material, allowing the ear drops to work effectively. This step is crucial for the medication to reach the infection.
- Prescription Ear Drops: Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic or antifungal ear drops to target and eliminate the specific micro-organisms causing the swimmer's ear. Make sure to use them exactly as directed for effective treatment.
- Pain Management: To alleviate your ear pain, your doctor may recommend prescription pain relievers in addition to the over-the-counter options, making recovery more comfortable.
Prevention of Swimmer's Ear
Preventing a swimmer's ear is often easier than treating it. Here are some practical tips to help keep your ears healthy and free from water:
- Dry Your Ears After Swimming or Showering: Gently tilt your head to let water drain and use a soft towel for the outer ear.
- Avoiding Cotton Swabs: Resist the urge to use cotton swabs, as they can push debris and moisture deeper into the ear canal and irritate the lining, increasing infection risk.
- Using Earplugs When Swimming: For frequent swimmers or those spending lots of time in water, waterproof or swimming earplugs can create a barrier, preventing water from entering the ear canals and significantly reducing the risk of swimmer's ear.
The Bottom Line: Dealing with Water and Swimmer's Ear
Recognising the symptoms of a swimmer's ear early, such as ear pain, itching or discharge, is key to seeking timely treatment. While home remedies can help with mild cases, medical intervention, including ear cleaning and prescription ear drops, is usually necessary for more severe infections.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, The Listening Lab, a trusted hearing aid centre in Malaysia, can provide comprehensive hearing assessments to evaluate your ear health. To learn more about our services or to find our available audiometric test options near you, explore our website or reach out to our team today!
