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Ear - Swimmer

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one):

  • Doesn't look like swimmer's ear, see Earache

Definition

  • An infection or irritation of the skin that lines the ear canal
  • Has recently been swimming or gotten lots of water in the ear canals

Symptoms

  • Itchy and somewhat painful ear canal
  • Discomfort when the ear is moved up and down
  • The ear feels plugged or full
  • Discharge may develop as the swimmer's ear becomes worse

Causes

  • When water repeatedly gets trapped in the ear canal, the lining becomes wet and swollen.
  • This makes it prone to a bacterial superficial infection (swimmer's ear).
  • Wax buildup also traps water behind it. Usually, this is caused by cotton swabs.
  • Ear canals were meant to be dry.

Return to School

  • Swimmer's ear is not contagious.  No need to miss any school or child care.

When to Call for Ear - Swimmer

Call Us Now (night or day) If

  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Severe pain
  • Redness and swelling of outer ear
  • Fever over 104° F (40° C) and not improved 2 hours after fever medicine
  • You think your child needs to be seen urgently

Call Us Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

  • You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently
  • Constant ear pain
  • Yellow discharge from ear canal
  • Fever
  • Blocked ear canal
  • Swollen lymph node near ear
  • Cause is uncertain (no swimming)
  • Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment

Call Us During Weekday Office Hours If

  • You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If

  • Swimmer's ear with no complications

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD SWIMMER'S EAR

White Vinegar Rinses:
  • Rinse the ear canals twice a day with ½ strength white vinegar (dilute it with equal parts warm water).
  • Start by having your child lie down with the affected ear upward.
  • Fill the ear canal.
  • Wait 5 minutes, then remove the vinegar rinse by turning the head to the side and moving the ear. (Exception: ear tubes or hole in eardrum.)
  • Reason: restores the normal acid pH of the ear canal and reduces swelling.
  • Continue until the ear canal returns to normal.
Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
Local Heat: If pain is moderate to severe, apply a heating pad (set on low) or hot water bottle to outer ear for 20 minutes (caution: avoid burns). This will also increase drainage.
Reduce Swimming Times: Try to avoid swimming until symptoms are gone. If on a swim team, it's usually OK to continue. Swimming may slow recovery, but causes no serious harm.
Contagiousness: Swimmer's ear is not contagious.
Expected Course: With treatment, symptoms should be improved in 3 days and resolved in 7 days.
Prevention of Recurrences:
  • Try to keep the ear canals dry.
  • After showers, hair washing, and swimming, help the water run out by turning the head.
  • Avoid cotton swabs. (Reason: Packs in the earwax. The wax buildup then traps water behind it).
  • If swimmer's ear is a repeated problem, rinse the ear canals after swimming with a white vinegar-rubbing alcohol solution (equal parts of each).
Call Your Doctor If:
  • Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment
  • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact us if your child develops any of the "Call Us" symptoms.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed:09/15/2011

Last Revised:08/01/2011