How To Steer Clear of Swimmer’s Ear

Whether you’re surfing at the height of summer, counting laps at your gym’s indoor pool or celebrating the holiday season with a polar plunge, this much is certain: Swimmer’s ear can really dampen the mood.

But what is swimmer’s ear exactly? And why do we call it “swimmer’s ear” if you don’t have to swim to get it? We talked to head and neck specialist Richard Freeman, MD, to find out what causes this unpleasant condition and what you can do to reduce your chances of getting it.

Ways to prevent swimmer’s ear

You don’t have to swim to get swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa — but water is definitely part of the equation. So, what is it about water that causes swimmer’s ear?

Bacteria that normally inhabit the skin and ear canal multiply in warm, wet conditions and cause irritation, infection or inflammation. Occasionally, a fungal infection causes the same result.

“The ear canal is dark and warm, so if it gets wet, you have all the ingredients for a petri dish to grow bacteria,” Dr. Freeman explains.

The condition’s more common when you’re in water often. But you don’t have to swim regularly to get swimmer’s ear. You can also develop it by doing daily activities like bathing and showering!

Swimmer’s ear is also more common in warm weather. A landlubber’s ear can become infected because the bacteria is more likely to get damp from summer heat, humidity levels and perspiration.

You can reduce your risk of swimmer’s ear by keeping your ears clean, dry and irritant-free. Ways to do that include:

Don’t swim in dirty water

You’re more likely to get swimmer’s ear if you swim in natural bodies of water or pools and hot tubs that aren’t properly maintained. It also raises your risk of contracting waterborne diseases.

Use hydrogen peroxide

Clean your ears occasionally with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. That can help remove excess earwax, which can trap water in your ear.

Use about half of an ear dropper full. Let it bubble and fizz. Then, turn your head to the side and pull back on the top of your ear to allow it to drain properly.

Make sure you use drying drops (if approved by your provider) or use a hair dryer to ensure no moisture gets left behind in your ear canal.

Use a hair dryer

Speaking of hair dryers, you can use one any time you need to dry out your ear canal gently and indirectly. Just make sure you’re using low or no heat and keep the dryer a safe distance from your skin.

Don’t use cotton swabs or tissues to clean or dry your ears

It’s tempting, we know. But cotton swabs can scratch the skin in your ear canal and make conditions worse. They can also damage your eardrum and stimulate an over-production of ear wax.

Leave your ear wax alone

One of the reasons we have wax in our ear canals is to protect them from infection, so let it be!

If you feel like your ears are truly clogged with the stuff — and a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution isn’t helping — contact a healthcare provider. They can check your ears and decide how best to remove excess wax.

Wear earplugs or bathing caps

While not the most attractive swim accessories, ear plugs and bathing caps can help keep water out of your ears.

But remember: They can also trap water in your ears. So, no matter how careful you are to keep your ears dry in the pool, dry them thoroughly after swimming.

Avoid getting irritating chemicals in your ear

Especially if you struggle with dry, sensitive skin (or a condition like eczema), it’s important to keep potential irritants out of your ear canal. For example, try using earplugs or cotton balls to cover your ears while you style your hair.

Hold off on the ear-drying drops

They sound like a magic bullet in the fight against swimmer’s ear, but ear-drying drops aren’t for everybody — especially people who have other medical issues involving their ears.

Before using these products, make sure you’ve:

• Had your ears examined
• Reviewed your medical history with a healthcare provider

They’ll let you know if the benefits of ear-drying drops outweigh the risks — and teach you how to properly use the products.

How to get rid of swimmer’s ear

Following all of Dr. Freeman’s do’s and don’ts isn’t a guarantee that you won’t get swimmer’s ear at some point. But there’s good news: Swimmer’s ear is treatable. And if you act quickly, it shouldn’t cause significant damage.

Typically, you can identify a swimmer’s ear infection by:

• Redness and swelling of your ear canal and outer ear (the part that you can see around the opening)
• Itching
• Pain
• Pus drainage
• A feeling of fullness
• Hearing loss (sometimes)

You may be able to reduce the inflammation by cleaning and drying the ear canal. In most cases, this requires applying antibiotics or anti-fungal ear drops. The drops need to reach your skin in order to work, so cleaning your ear with hydrogen peroxide, for example, is important.

If you look on the internet, you’ll find home remedies for swimmer’s ear. But according to Dr. Freeman, a trip to a doctor is your best bet. That way, you don’t risk undertreating the condition or making it worse. A provider can:

• Clean your ear safely
• Recommend the correct ear drops for your situation
• Show you how to use them.

If it doesn’t resolve (or gets worse) after a week to 10 days of treatment, Dr. Freeman advises that you follow up with your provider. You also need to pick up the phone if you:

• Are running a fever
• Still have drainage coming from your ears
• Can’t hear or your hearing is impaired or muffled
• Are noticing new symptoms you didn’t have before

“If left untreated, swimmer’s ear can get worse and harder to treat,” he warns. “Occasionally, you might need prescription oral antibiotics and, in extreme conditions, may need to be admitted to the hospital.”​

Are some people more prone to swimmer’s ear?

You may be surprised to learn that the shape of your ears can make you more or less likely to get swimmer’s ear. But that’s not the only factor that determines your risk. Other medical conditions play a role, too.

For example, people with diabetes are also more prone to the condition. And having allergies or skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or seborrhea can increase your risk of swimmer’s ear — or make the infection worse.

You can’t change the shape of your ears or your medical history. But keeping your ears clean, dry and free of irritation can stack the deck in your favor.