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by Dr. Adam Smith
With the summer heat bearing down, many families flock to the water to try and stay cool. Whether going to a local lake or to the community swimming pool, summer’s pastime can lead to an unfortunate malady known as swimmer’s ear.
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection. Frequent and persistent water exposure to the ear canal is the major predisposing factor, thus the common name of swimmer’s ear. The other predisposing risk factor is manipulation to the canal itself, whether by Q-tips or earplugs. So take heart and leave those Q-tips on the store shelves. Ear wax is the body’s natural protector against infection, and it can’t do its job if it has been forcefully removed.
Otitis externa most commonly presents with unilateral ear pain, especially noted when pulling on the outer part of the ear. It can be associated with drainage from the affected ear. Occasionally it can present as a sense of itchiness, or as a feeling of being plugged up. If any of these symptoms occur, you may need to see your doctor for evaluation.
Fortunately, most cases of infection can be treated with topical eardrops. More severe cases may require oral antibiotics as well. During the course of treatment, it is very important to keep the ears as dry as possible for the following seven to ten days. Baths instead of showers are encouraged to minimize water exposure to the ears.
Preventive measures can go a long way in reducing the frequency of this illness. First and foremost, never put anything in the ear canal. This includes earplugs, Q-tips, and fingers. Second, keep your ears as dry as possible.
After swimming, use a towel to dry your ears well. Help the water run out of your ears by turning your head side to side and pulling the ear lobe in different directions. A hair dryer on its lowest setting can also be helpful in drying the ears. Be sure to hold the dryer several inches away from the ear itself.
If swimming will be a daily routine, consider pur¬chasing a bathing cap or wet suit hood to keep water out of the ears. Also, there are several options of drying eardrops for prevention of infection. |
