Overview

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is inflammation or infection of the ear canal, the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. Any water, sand, or other debris that gets into the ear canal and stays there can cause swimmer's ear. Inserting cotton swabs or other items in the ear to clean it can also cause swimmer's ear.

Swimmer's ear can be very painful. But if you treat the pain and infection with medicines, you should feel better in a few days.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Cleaning and care

• Use antibiotic drops exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Do not insert eardrops (other than the antibiotic eardrops) or anything else into the ear unless your doctor has told you to.
• Avoid getting water in the ear until the problem clears up. Use cotton lightly coated with petroleum jelly as an earplug. Do not use plastic earplugs.
• Use a hair dryer to carefully dry the ear after you shower. Make sure the dryer is on the lowest heat setting.
• To ease ear pain, hold a warm face cloth against your ear.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • No one younger than 18 should take aspirin. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

Inserting eardrops

• Warm the drops to body temperature by rolling the container in your hands or placing it in a cup of warm water for a few minutes.
• Lie down, with your ear facing up.
• Place drops inside the ear. Follow your doctor's instructions (or the directions on the label) for how many drops to use. Gently wiggle the outer ear or pull the ear up and back to help the drops get into the ear.
• It's important to keep the liquid in the ear canal for 3 to 5 minutes.