What is Swimmer’s Ear?.

Swimmer’s Ear is commonly caused by a bacterial or fungal infection from water exposure to the external ear canal.

Excessive moisture can also promote bacterial or fungal growth, especially if swimming in dirty or contaminated water.

Other factors contributing to this condition include cross-contamination of hearing aids or earplugs, and skin conditions like eczema.

The most common symptoms of include: ear pain (which can be severe), itching, redness, swelling, and discharge from the ear.

Other symptoms may also be: fullness or blocked ear, decreased hearing, and sometimes fever or swollen lymph nodes in severe cases.

Audiologists, and doctors, can diagnose otitis externa through a physical examination of the ear canal.

They assess for signs of redness, swelling and discharge whilst also checking the severity of symptoms reported by the patient.

In some cases, a doctor will take a sample of the discharge and is sent away for laboratory analysis to determine the specific infectious agent involved.

Treatment involves cleaning the ear canal to remove debris and infected material.

Doctors may prescribe topical eardrops containing antibiotics or antifungal agents to combat the infection.

Pain relief medication may also be recommended.

Prevention strategies:
·         Use earplugs while swimming. Wipe them with alochol wipes after use to reduce cross contamination.
·         Spray BioRevive DryEars or Aquaear drops after swimming. These solutions will dry the ears out of any moisture.

If you experience symptoms of otitis externa, it is important to seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Early intervention can help alleviate discomfort, prevent complications, and promote a speedy recovery.