Summer is officially here and with it, we are having fun in the sun – and most likely in the water. We may be swimming in the neighborhood pool, kayaking on the many streams and rivers, or we may be spending a day on one of the local beaches. This morning on The Denver Channel 7 we talked about Swimmer’s ear which is also called otitis externa. This common problem presents as swelling, pain, itching or redness in the ear canal or the outside of the ear. While generally mild and easy to treat, if we ignore it there can be some major complications including temporary loss of hearing, infections spreading to other part of the ear – and in rare and severe cases it can even cause an infection around the brain. Now, before we get too worried – because severe complications are rare – let’s talk about how to recognize it, get help, and most importantly, how to prevent it.
Recognizing Swimmer’s Ear –
You should suspect swimmer’s ear – or otitis externa – when you notice pain in the ear canal, redness or swelling of the pinna (the part of the ear on the outside of your head). You should also suspect this problem if there is clear, white or infected appearing discharge from your ear.
What Should I Do?
The treatment for swimmer’s ear is a prescription that kills both bacteria and fungi, and often has a steroid to reduce swelling. Since swimmer’s ear does not generally get better on its own, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms. Some things that may help in the short term include pain reliever such as ibuprofen, keeping the ear dry, and staying out of the water. If you develop fever, loss of hearing, confusion, or the redness is rapidly spreading, you should go right to the emergency room.
It is very important to be seen to determine if this is an infection that includes the area behind the eardrum, and to help determine if there are any foreign bodies in the ear canal.
Our ear canal is designed to help us prevent infections in several ways. First of all – it is small and it’s not straight – preventing easy access (do you notice how your physician pulls gently back on your ear to make it possible to see inside?) Secondly, our ears produce cerumen – which we call “earwax” – that coats the ear canal and traps bits of dirt, bacteria and other foreign substances that may get inside. Cerumen is also a great water repellant – keeping the skin that lines the ear canal dry. Finally, the environment in the ear tends to be a bit acidic. This promotes the growth of “healthy” bacteria who crowd out the unhealthy bacteria.
We get outer ear infections, or “swimmer’s ear” when something tips the balance of things in our outer ear. This can be chronic moisture in the ear, dirt or other objects in the ear canal, or when there is a scratch or other break in the skin that lines the ear canal.
What helps prevent swimmer’s ear?
The prevention of swimmer’s ear includes:
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Tip your head to the side and use a cotton ball at the entrance to the ear to absorb moisture after swimming
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If you swim regularly, wear a tight fitting swim cap to prevent moisture from getting into the ear canal (ear plugs can be irritating)
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Do not put anything, including cotton swabs, into the ear canal
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If you get a foreign body in your ear canal, have a professional remove it using specialized tool
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You can mix equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol and put a drop or two in your ear to help dry it out after swimming
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Avoid swimming in polluted water
For more information on otitis externa, or to see diagrams of the ear, you can go to Porter Hospital Health Library.
Other sites that may be of interest to you include:
American Family Practice Website
Have a good week
Dr. Dianne
Mon, Jun 22, 2009
Common Illnesses, Uncategorized