What causes swimmer’s ear?
When water gets into the ear, it may bring in bacterial or fungal particles. Usually the water runs back out; the ear dries out; and the bacteria and fungi don’t cause any problems. But sometimes water remains trapped in the ear canal, and the skin gets soggy. Then bacteria and fungi grow, flourish, and can infect the outer ear.
You can get swimmer’s ear when bacteria grow in your ear canal. This happens when water, sand, or other small debris irritates the delicate skin in the ear canal. Other things that can irritate the ear canal include hearing aids, lots of ear cleaning, and eczema of the ear canal. Swimmer’s ear is more likely if you have a very narrow or hairy ear canal; live in a warm, humid climate; have earwax blocking the ear canal; have lots of ear infections; or have eczema or dry skin. If you have had swimmer’s ear in the past, you are more likely to get it again.
Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is typically a bacterial infection of the ear canal; this differs from otitis media which involves fluid behind the eardrum. Otitis externa is most commonly caused by water getting trapped in the ear canal. It also follows injury to the skin of the ear canal caused by aggressive “cleaning” with Q-tips, bobby pins, match sticks and other devices. What does the doctor mean when he/she says my child would benefit from “tubes?” Most of the time, otitis media clears up with proper medication. When it doesn’t, further treatment may be recommended by your physician. This treatment may be the surgical placement of a ventilation tube in the eardrum. This “tube” allows fluid to drain from behind the eardrum preventing fluid accumulation. The individual will probably notice a remarkable improvement in hearing and a decrease in the frequency of ear infections.
