Swimmer’s Ear
Matthew J. Amman, DC
Who, after swimming underwater, hasn’t bounced up and down on one foot twisting their head and neck will trying to clear their ears? The Head and Neck Surgery division of The American Academy of Otolaryngology says there might be more lurking in there than just the annoying air bubble you’re trying to dislodge. You could also be ripe for swimmers ear, an infections that strikes one in every 100 to 250 swimmers.
Officially called acute otitis externa, swimmer’s ear is an often painful infection of the outer ear caused by water becoming trapped in the ear canal. When water gets into this dark enclosed area of the ear, bacteria and fungus lurking there can multiply. Besides setting up a convenient breeding ground, the water can also remove earwax which serves to protect the skin from water and infection.
The condition is found most commonly in swimmers, but can result from bathing or showering. Microtrauma can also lead to swimmer’s ear. Using things like paper clips, pencils, fingernails, match sticks, keys, etc., to either scratch an itchy ear or to clean it is bad.
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear include an ear that is painful and tender to touch, redness, swelling, itching and a feeling of fullness in the ears. The infection may also be accompanied by runny, milky drainage from the ear canal, fever, pain that radiates to the face or neck, swollen lymph nodes and hearing loss. You should see you doctor if you experience these symptoms
First Established Guidelines for Swimmer’s Ear
A national panel of physicians representing many medical disciplines recently developed the first guidelines for diagnosis and treating swimmer’s ear. The guidelines, which were published in the April 2006 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, include:
• Treatment should begin with antiseptic or antibiotic ear drops to reduce bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide is another option.
• Oral antibiotics should be avoided.
• Ear candling is not effective and can burn or perforate the eardrum.
• Use earplugs to keep moisture out.
• Dry ears by using a hair dyer.
• Avoid polluted waters.
After swimming first dry the ear thoroughly either with a towel or with a hair dyer, but be careful not to blast your eardrums. Second, if you have a predisposition to swimmer’s ear use a preventative drops. A home remedy of a 50-50 solution of vinegar and rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can be used.
Dr. Matt
