Every summer day, healthcare practitioners in clinics across the country see a common condition in patients who went swimming and then developed itchiness, pain, and even liquid drainage in one or both of their ears. Other times, patients with similar symptoms have not been swimming, but do wear earbuds for long stretches without cleaning them, or sleep with earplugs, or have a lot of earwax buildup. There is a good chance they have otitis externa.
Otitis externa is the medical name for an inflammation or infection of the ear canal. The ear canal is the part of the ear between the eardrum and the outside world. Many know otitis externa as an outer ear infection or swimmer’s ear because it happens most after being in water, especially when ears are not dried well enough. Sweat, skin cells, and pretty much anything that can get inside the ear canal could theoretically cause otitis externa
Symptoms can be mild and limited to itching or that feeling that water is stuck. As the condition worsens, the ear becomes increasingly painful, the ear canal swells, and even liquid may drain from the ear. When the swelling is very severe, hearing loss can occur in the affected ear until the problem is resolved. Diabetics and people with weaker immune systems are at a higher risk of developing a more severe infection called malignant otitis externa which spreads beyond just the ear canal and begins to affect the skin on the outer ear and even the face.
Otitis externa is treated with ear drops and sometimes oral antibiotics. Not all ear drops are antibiotics, especially in mild cases. Since diagnosis depends on someone looking in your ear, do not diagnose yourself. Have a medical professional look inside your ear. Even if your regular doctor cannot see you, swimmer’s ear can be diagnosed at a walk-in clinic or urgent care. For patients with major swelling, small sticks called ear wicks may be needed to deliver the medicine into the whole ear canal. Use drops only as instructed.
Keeping the ears dry is extra important in preventing otitis externa. A simple trick is to tilt your head while tugging on the outside of your ear. Some people use hair dryers but remember to always keep the dryers at a safe distance of at least 6 inches from the ear running at the lowest possible fan and heat settings to prevent burn injuries.
