Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)
By Roland Larrabee, MD
Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal. Otitis externa is also called swimmer's ear.
Bacteria and sometimes fungi may cause the infection. It can result from an injury, as might occur if you use a Q-tip or something sharp to clean your ear canal. It can also be caused by water in your ears (from when you swim) or from frequent showering. Otitis externa most often occurs in the summer from swimming or being exposed to high humidity. Abundant ear wax can sometimes create enough irritation to cause an infection. The chemicals in hair spray or hair dye may also irritate the ear canal and increase the risk of infection.
Some people get otitis externa repeatedly, especially if they clean their ears too vigorously. People who have skin allergies also seem particularly prone to otitis externa.
Symptoms include:
· itching (often the first symptom)
· pain and swelling in ear canal
· discharge from the ear, which may smell bad
· crusting around the ear canal opening.
Sometimes swelling or pus may decrease your hearing.
Your provider will carefully clean and dry your ear after a careful examination. If your ear is very swollen, he or she may insert a wick soaked with an antibiotic into the ear to get the medicine into the infected area. You may need to put drops in your ear several times a day to keep the wick moist. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an oral antibiotic if you have a severe infection.
The pain and swelling will go away gradually as the antibiotics or other medications take effect. Most cases of otitis externa clear up completely in 5 to 7 days.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how to take care of your ear and how to remove the wick, and whether you need a recheck in the office. Keep water out of your ears until the infection is completely gone and take baths instead of showers.
Ask your healthcare provider how you should protect your ears when you wash your hair. Don't put anything into your ear canal that should not be put there. This includes Q-tips. Q-tips are for cleaning the outer ear, not the ear canal.
Ask your healthcare provider if it might help to wear earplugs or use something such as lamb's wool to keep your ears dry when you swim and shower. Dry your ears carefully if you get water in them. You can use a hair dryer (on the "warm" setting) at least 6 inches from your ear to help dry the water in the ear canal. Avoid any substance that may cause an allergic reaction of the ear canal skin and ask your healthcare provider before you use chemicals or medications in the area around your ear. For people that get recurrent infections, adding a couple of drops of a 50:50 mix of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol into the ear canal after exposure to water may prevent infections. This can also be purchased in the pharmacy.
Dr. Larrabee is Medical Director of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.