Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal. If you stick
your finger in your ear, you're feeling a little of the ear
canal. But if you have swimmer's ear, and you stick your finger
in your ear - YOW! Let's find out more about this painful type
of ear infection, which often affects swimmers.
Swimmer's ear - also called
otitis externa
(say: o-
ty-
tus ek-
stur
-nuh) - is different from a regular ear infection. Usually, when
people say a kid has an ear infection, they mean
otitis media
(say:
me
-dee-uh), an
infection
of the middle ear. This sometimes happens when a kid gets a
cold.
But swimmer's ear happens when bacteria grow in the ear
canal, which is a passageway to the eardrum. In that canal,
you'll find delicate
skin
that's protected by a thin coating of
earwax
. Most of the time, water can run in and out of the ear canal
without causing a problem. For instance, you don't usually get
swimmer's ear from taking baths or showers.
Bacteria get a chance to grow when water stays in the ear canal
and it washes away the protective coating of earwax. A lot of
swimming can wash away that wax protection and lead to these wet
conditions in the ear canal. Bacteria grow and the ear canal gets
red and swollen. Sometimes kids can get an infection in the ear
canal even if they haven't been swimming. A scratch or other
irritation to the ear canal can also lead to swimmer's ear.
How Do I Know if I Have Swimmer's Ear?
Swimmer's ear may start with some itching, but try not to
scratch because this can worsen the infection. Ear pain is the most
common sign of swimmer's ear. Even touching or bumping the
outside of the ear can hurt. The infection also could make it
harder to hear with the infected ear because of the swelling that
happens in the ear canal.
If a
doctor
thinks you have swimmer's ear, he or she will help you get rid
of the infection. To do that, the doctor will probably prescribe
eardrops that contain an antibiotic to kill the bacteria.
Sometimes, the doctor may use a wick. Not the wick on a candle!
This kind of wick is like a tiny sponge the doctor puts in your
ear. The medicine goes into the sponge and it keeps the medicine in
contact with the ear canal that's infected. The wick is removed
after it has done its job.
Use the drops as long as your doctor tells you to, even if your
ear starts feeling better. Stopping too soon can cause the
infection to come back. If your ear hurts, the doctor may suggest
that a parent give you a children's pain medication. This can
help you feel better while you're waiting for the antibiotic to
work.
When Can I Go Back in the Pool?
The question every kid wants to know is: "When can I swim
again?" You'll have to ask your doctor, but be prepared to
wait a little bit. It could be as long as a week to 10 days before
the doctor says OK. That's a bummer in the summer, but it's
better than having that awful ear pain again!
If you have a big problem with swimmer's ear or you're a
kid who's always in the water, the doctor may suggest ways for
you to protect yourself. For instance, your mom or dad can get some
special drops to put in your ears after swimming to dry up the
water in there. It's an extra step that just might keep your
ears in super shape all summer!
Reviewed by:
Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: May 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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