Fight swimmer's ear this summer

When the temperatures rise, the time is right for a dip in the pool. Unfortunately for many children, the time also is right for otitis externa, better known as swimmer's ear.

The condition — primarily characterized by redness of the outer ear canal and ear pain (made worse by touching around the ear opening) — is an inflammation of the external ear canal caused by bacteria growing in the moist environment created by getting water in the ear canal.

Video: Ear Infections

Dr. John McClay, an otolaryngologist with Children's and associate professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said specific guidelines on treating swimmer's ear result in more positive outcomes.

"Swimmer's ear is a very common and often very painful condition," said Dr. McClay. "These guidelines are designed to assist all physicians who treat swimmer's ear."

New guidelines for diagnosis, treatment

• Initially treat the condition with antiseptic or antibiotic ear drops to inhibit bacterial growth. The drops usually relieve the pain within a day or two and clear up the condition within a week.
• Do not administer oral antibiotics unless other conditions are present, such as diabetes or some immune diseases, because studies indicate those medications are less effective and have more side effects.
• Ear candles have not been shown to be effective and can have adverse side effects, including burning or perforating the ear drum. Ear candling, often found in new age shops, involves putting a cone-shaped device — usually a fabric soaked in wax to harden it — into the ear to remove impurities with smoke.
• Keep moisture out of the ear by using ear plugs or by drying the ears with a hairdryer, and avoiding water that may be polluted.
• Ear, nose and throat specialists caution against putting fingers or other objects in the ear, including cotton swabs, which can damage the ear or push material deeper into the canal.

Risk Factors

Swimmer's ear is more common in children and young adults, but can affect any age. People with extensive earwax are more likely to develop swimmer's ear, and allergic conditions such as eczema of the ear canal may also be a factor.

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of swimmer's ear include:

• Redness of the outer ear and ear canal
• Itching in the ear
• Pain, especially when touching the area around the ear canal or wiggling the ear it self  
• Drainage from the ear
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Swollen ear canal
• Conductive hearing loss

Resources

The symptoms of swimmer's ear may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis. Visit Children's Health Library for more information on how swimmer's ear is diagnosed, treated and prevented.

Tags: swimmer's ear, otitis externa, external otitis, outer ear infection, swimmers ear, ear, infection, ache