Swimmer's Ear: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
For many kids, summer means cannonballs into the local pool and dashing in and out of waves. Unfortunately, all that splashing around can lead to swimmer’s ear, a common infection that parents and caregivers should know how to spot.
“After swimming or bathing, water can get trapped inside the ear, and lingering moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria or fungus to grow, especially during humid weather,” says Minyoung Jang, MD, a Columbia pediatric otolaryngologist.
Dr. Jang is trained to diagnose and treat diseases of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT). Swimmer’s ear is one of the most common. She explains why it happens and what to do about it.
What is swimmer’s ear?
Swimmer’s ear is an infection that develops in the outer ear canal (the funnel leading from your external ear to eardrum), often when moisture gets trapped inside.
It can happen to a person of any age, but kids who spend a lot of time in the water—through year-round sports, summer camps, or other activities—are especially prone. Dr. Jang says frequent swimming is the number one culprit, but any activity, such as bathing or a trip to a water park, that traps moisture in the outer ear canal can trigger a problem.
What are the symptoms of swimmer’s ear?
The first signs of swimmer’s ear can seem minor. Pay attention if you or your child notices:
- Ear itching or pain
- Muffled hearing
- Clogged sensation
- Ear drainage or odor
- Less common but notable symptoms include tenderness and redness around the ear.
When should you see a doctor about ear pain?
If symptoms don’t improve within a day or two—or if they worsen to include discolored or pus-like drainage—it is important to see a health care provider, says Dr. Jang.
Although swimmer’s ear is generally not dangerous, early treatment can prevent escalation to swelling and serious discomfort.
A professional can rule out or diagnose other medical conditions with similar symptoms, like middle ear infections (which are “behind” the eardrum and not caused by water exposure) and inner ear hearing loss.
Swimmer’s ear generally does not cause fever, dizziness, or nausea—one of these symptoms, in addition to ear pain, requires medical evaluation.
How can you treat swimmer’s ear at home?
Swimmer’s ear generally does not require antibiotics, which is a point Dr. Jang frequently explains to parents. Clearing the drainage and applying ear drops is sufficient for most infections.
For treatment and prevention of recurrent cases, Dr. Jang recommends mixing plain white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a 1:1 ratio and applying a few drops to the ear canals using a dropper. White vinegar (AKA “acetic acid”) acts as a natural antimicrobial, which prevents fungal or bacterial infections from developing.
How can you prevent swimmer’s ear?
There are a few easy ways to lower the risk of swimmer’s ear, such as:
- Gently dry ears with a towel and tilt the head to drain water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can push ear wax in and make moisture accumulation more likely
- Try over-the-counter “drying ear drops” to reduce ear canal humidity. Look for drops that have isopropyl alcohol (“rubbing alcohol”) as the active ingredient
- Ask your doctor to check for “impacted” ear wax before participating in frequent water sports
- Encourage kids to dry their ears well after swimming, change out of wet swimsuits quickly, and take occasional breaks from the water
- If someone has pain in their ear during swimming, get out of the water and dry the ear
- If someone has had swimmer’s ear previously, consider using earplugs when swimming or bathing
The bottom line is, knowing the signs of swimmer’s ear can help catch the infection before a fun day turns painful. And the right prevention measures can avoid the problem in the first place.
Minyoung Jang, MD, is a pediatric otolaryngologist and assistant professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.