Swimmer's Ear

So what is it?

Fun,Sun, Sand, Chlorine....Swimmer's Ear. Nothing will ruin a good time like an ear infection. Swimmer's Ear, or Otitis Externa, is an infection of the ear canal. It can be caused by many types of bacteria and fungi. The exernal ear canal is a great breeding ground for the infection due to the fact that it is warm and dark, and then moisture is introduced from being in the water. Though we see an increase in Swimmer's Ear in the Summer, it can happen to most anyone year-round.

The infection commonly occurs in individual who spend a lot of time in the water. Because summertime is a time where we are constantly in the water, this excess moisture in the ear canal can break down the delicate skin of the external ear canal, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow. The skin can also be broken down and irritated when the ear canal is scratched, as when people use cotton swabs or use foreign objects to scratch their ear, like pen caps, bobby pins, and paperclips.

Signs and Symptoms

The primary symptom of Swimmer's Ear is ear pain. Sometimes the ear canal itches before the pain begins. It may become painful for a person to chew or when the ear is pulled or pressed on. Swelling of the ear canal may make your child complain of a full or uncomfortable feeling and the outer ear may become red and swollen. You may also see some discharge/drainage from the ear canal as well. At first it may be clear, but turn cloudy, yellow and pus-like and may have a foul odor. Though not impossible, Swimmer's Ear is usually not accompanied by fever. Fortunately, Swimmer's Ear is not contagious.

Treatment

If you or your children experience any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical treatment. Treatment of the infection depends on the severity of the infection. In mild cases, an antibiotic eardrop may be prescribed to fight off the infection and reduce the swelling. This will usually be prescribed for 7-10 days, several times a day. It is important to finish ALL the drops and use them as directed.

In more significant cases of Swimmer's Ear, the swelling may be significant enough that drops will not go into the ear canal. If this happens, a physician may place a wick, (a thin piece of cotton that has medicine in it) in the ear canal to reduce the swelling so the drops can get in the ear. The drainage may have to be cleaned out first to make the drops more effective.

How can Swimmer's Ear be prevented?

The source of Swimmer's Ear is moisture, so keep the ear canal dry is the best way. THIS DOESN'T MEAN USE COTTON SWABS. There are a variety of over-the-counter ear drops that can be applied to the ears after exposure to water to help evaporate the water from the ears. Theses drops are available at pharmacies and large-chain retailers like Wal-Mart but should not be used in individuals with ear tubes or a hole in the eardrum. Another way to prevent water from enter the ear canal is to use earplugs.

Coastal Audiology has a variety of earplugs. We carry Doc's Pro Plugs, an ear-shaped non-custom, non-invasive plug that prevents water from flooding into the ear canal. We have these in our office ready for immediate purchase.  These are a good choice for individuals who will not sit still or cooperate for making a custom swim plug. We make two different kinds of custom swim plugs, Quik-Floaters and Lab-Manufactured. Our Quik-Floaters come in red and blue and are available the same day. Lab-Manufactured plugs are available in many colors and combinations and take about two weeks to make and return to the wearer.

Avoiding Swimmer's Ear altogether is better than treating it! Call our office today, (912) 748-9494, for more information.

An example of a set of Custom, Lab-Manufactured Swim plugs




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