By Dr. Alexandra Almanzar
Reliant Pediatrics

Summertime—the time of year when families love to enjoy themselves at a local beach or pool. It’s also the time when many children will get a painful condition called swimmer’s ear. Below, you can learn the best way to deal with this common problem.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the ear canal (not the middle ear). It happens when water gets stuck inside the ear canal. Bacteria can grow in the trapped water and cause an infection. This can lead to pain, swelling, and irritation.

You Don’t Have to Be a Swimmer to Get It

Even though it is called swimmer’s ear, anyone can suffer from this problem. Water can easily become trapped in the ear after swimming, taking a bath, showering, and even spending a lot of time in very humid weather.

Know the Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs of swimmer’s ear are pain and itching. Other symptoms may include:

• Fluid draining from the ear
• Pain when the ear is touched or pulled
• A feeling that the ear is clogged or full
• Redness or swelling around the ear
• Swollen lymph nodes near the ear, neck, or jaw

In more serious cases, pus or a bad smell may come from the ear. This usually happens when the infection is not treated soon enough.

How Should Swimmer’s Ear Be Treated?

If you think you or your child has swimmer’s ear, you should consult your primary care provider. Swimmer’s ear is most often treated with prescription ear drops. These drops usually contain:

• An antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing the infection
• A steroid to reduce swelling and pain

Be sure to follow instructions on using the ear drops closely and keep your child’s ear dry while it heals. You can also take the following steps to help promote healing:

• Allow your child to take a break from swimming if possible
• Use earplugs when swimming or showering
• Keep wet hair away from the ear
• Avoid letting your child go to bed with wet hair

Don’t Try to Treat It Yourself

You shouldn’t try to treat swimmer’s ear by yourself. It’s best to have your child see a medical provider. In addition, never allow your child to put anything inside their ear, even their fingers. This can:

• Cause damage to the ear canal
• Make the infection worse
• Cause pain and irritation
• Lead to puncture of the eardrum

If the infection doesn’t clear up after being treated, be sure to tell your child’s primary care provider.

How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear:

Keeping ears dry is the best way to prevent swimmer’s ear. Here are some practical tips that can help:

• Wear earplugs while swimming
• Use a swim cap while in the water
• Wear a shower cap during baths or showers
• Dry the ears gently with a towel after being in the water
• Use a blow dryer on a cool setting to carefully dry the ears

If your child gets swimmer’s ear often, their primary care provider may recommend special preventive ear drops made with distilled water and vinegar. Always ask your provider before using these drops.

Swimmer’s ear is a common problem with kids, especially in the summertime. Following the above advice is the best way to deal with it and keep the summer fun and enjoyable for your children.