Swimmer's Ear

As the name suggests, this medical condition is common with people who are exposed to water for longer duration. Swimmer's Ear is mainly due to waterlog in ear canal, leading to bacterial infection(s). Water can enter the ear while swimming, or bathing. When there is the trace of water inside, the condition become favorable for bacteria to multiply. This disease of middle ear is also known as ‘Otitis Externa’. Other than this key reason, there is also another possibility for this disease. This can also occur when the slender coating of the ear canal skin gets impaired due to the external pressures like the wiping of ears by cotton swabs or similar object, or by the accidental entry of foreign objects inside. Though one can use the easily available nasal drops for curing this, it is always sensible to get in touch with a professional ENT specialist.

As far as the noticeable indications of swimmer’s ear are concerned, they will be more or less trivial and insignificant during the early phase. However, naturally things will get worse if not treated properly/early. When you fail to take the required medical help, the initial minor infection will get broadened.

The key factors that may lead to swimmer’s ear are:

• Inherent thin ear canal; here, water will get caught easily. In such cases, cleaning will be relatively difficult.
• Regular contact with water like swimming, especially in poor quality water, where there is high level of bacteria.
• The usage of unclean external hearing aids, headphones, etc.
• Careless ear cleaning, especially, rough cleaning using cotton swabs or other types of ear buds.

Common signs and symptoms of Swimmer's Ear:

• In the beginning stage, the sufferer will experience a characteristic irritation and itching in the ear canal. The inner part of the ear will become somewhat red in color.
• There will be a fluid drainage. When the disease aggravates and comes to the second stage, the itching and pain will be severe.
• The ear turns red and fluid outflow will be excess.
• Simultaneously, there will be pus formation, and at the same time, there will be hearing blockage or loss.
• When not properly diagnosed and proper treatments are not given, the situation will get again worsened. This is the third degree stage. At this stage, the pain will be very much grave and the same will spread out to other parts like the neck, face, and the head.
• During this third phase, there will be total obstruction in the ear canal. The patient will have fever and there will be inflammation in the lymph nodes that passes through the neck region.

If not treated at the right time, this disease may spread to the inner parts of the ear, and this will complicate the problem. It can develop into ‘otitis externa’, which causes injury to bone and cartilage. Therefore, as soon as the initial signs are visible, the patient is adviced to seek medical guidance of a professional ENT Surgeon.