Swimmer’s ear or outer ear infection transpires at the external opening of the ear canal. This canal joins the ear opening to the eardrum. Medically, this infection is termed otitis externa.
Otitis externa or swimmer’s ear caused by exposure to excess moisture. It is typical in children, teens, or even adults who spend a lot of time in the swimming pool, hence the name, swimmer’s ear. This infection affects more than 3 million people annually.
Getting exposed to moisture while swimming, bathing, or even showering can increase the chances of getting otitis externa infection. It is because the leftover water inside the ear canal can become a host for breeding bacteria. Therefore, it is crucial to rinse out all water from your ears. Your ears can also get infected if the skin that lines your ear canal gets injured.
Harsh scratching, prolonged use of headphones, or putting cotton swabs inside your ear can harm this fragile skin. This inflamed skin can act as a ground for bacteria. Constant exposure to moisture can also hinder the earwax’s natural abilities to fight infections, making ear conditions more likely.
Every individual is different and can get different signs. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear may include:
Extreme pain in the face, head, or neck indicates that the infection has advanced extensively. Likewise, signs accompanied by a fever or swollen lymph nodes may also demonstrate progressing infection conditions. If you encounter ear pain with the symptoms mentioned above, see your doctor immediately.
Your primary care physician will test for an otitis externa during a visit. However, if your condition persists for longer than anticipated, you might require further testing.
Initially, your doctor will diagnose based on the symptoms you report, questions they inquire about, and a physical examination. Lab tests are usually not needed on your first visit. The initial evaluation includes:
It is conducted with a lighted tool called an otoscope. Your ear canal might seem red, swollen, and scaly. There might also be skin flakes or debris in the ear canal due to the infection.
Doctors examine it to ensure that it is not damaged. If the view is blocked, the doctor will use a suction device with a tiny loop to clear all the wax and get a better sight of the eardrum.
According to the results of your initial examination, symptom harshness, and the stage of your swimmer’s ear, your primary care physician might suggest additional testing. It includes sending a fluid sample from your ear to the lab for fungus and bacteria testing. It is required if:
If your eardrum is torn, your physician will likely refer you to an ENT specialist. The specialist will inspect your middle ear to determine the main site of the infection. This assessment is necessary because your treatment depends on its results.
If the infection persists after the medication, your doctor might take a sample of your ear discharge for further testing and send it to a lab to determine which microorganism is driving your infection.
The treatment is advised to clean and heal your ear canal.
Cleaning is crucial to help eardrops reach all infected areas. Your doctor will use a suction device to clean away discharge, clusters of earwax, flaky dead skin cells, and other types of contamination.
Mostly for swimmer’s ear, doctors give eardrops depending on the type and severity of your infection. These eardrops have the following ingredients:
Use the eardrops as per your doctor’s guidelines. Some of the most effective ways of utilizing eardrop are:
If your ear canal blocked, your doctor will insert a wick made of cotton or gauze to drain excess fluids and help pass the medicated eardrops into your ear canal. Moreover, if the infection is severe and does not respond well to eardrop, your doctor will put you on oral antibiotics.
The discomfort of the swimmer’s ear can be dealt with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. However, your doctor can prescribe a stronger medication for pain relief for a more advanced swimmer’s ear infection.
It is always better to consult a specialist for better guidance. Book an appointment with the ENT Specialist in Karachi through Marham for more information.
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