Is it pain inside the ear? Is it worse when water gets in? Let's talk about 'Swimmer's Ear / Otitis Externa'!

Have you ever gone swimming or showered and suffered for days with a terrible earache? Or does your little one complain about earaches, especially after playing in the water? This is a common occurrence for many people, especially our little ones. So, today we are going to talk about a condition called 'Swimmer's Ear', which can occur at times like these, and is a bit annoying, but can be cured quickly if managed properly. Doctors also call it `(Otitis Externa)`.

What exactly is 'Swimmer's Ear'?

Simply put, 'swimmer's ear' is an infection in the small tube-like part of our ear that runs from the outside to the eardrum - we call it the external auditory canal or ear canal - which is where it occurs. Just like when we have a small wound on our skin, it becomes infected, what happens here is that some germ, be it bacteria or fungi, gets into the delicate skin inside the ear canal and causes an infection there.

Think about it, this tube inside our ear is like a little cave. The skin inside this cave is very delicate. If it gets even slightly damaged, or if it's constantly moist, germs can easily enter and establish their kingdom there. That's when all that ear pain and other problems start.

How does this 'swimmer's ear' develop? What are the causes?

There can be several reasons for this. Despite the name 'swimmer's ear', this is not a disease that only affects swimmers. Let's look at the main causes.

Water is the main enemy!

As the name suggests, this condition is most often seen in children who are constantly in water, especially those who swim. Playing in the pond, sea, or swimming pool during the summer and school holidays is fun for little ones. However, when they spend too much time in the water, water can get trapped inside the ear canal.

Imagine what would happen if your ear was constantly wet? That moist environment is the perfect place for germs like bacteria and fungi to grow. Just like bread that is kept in a damp place will quickly mold.

When the skin inside the ear canal is constantly exposed to water, it loses its natural protective oil layer. The skin then becomes dry, and small cracks and fissures can form. Germs can easily enter through those small wounds. That's why swimming is a major cause of this.

Can non-swimmers also develop?

Yes, you can. You don't have to swim to get swimmer's ear. Anything that damages the delicate skin in the ear canal can cause it. See if these things apply to you:

• Frequent scratching of the ear canal: Some people have a habit of scratching their ears with nicotine, fingers, hairpins, or keys. These things can damage the delicate skin inside the ear. There is a high chance of germs entering through those wounds.
• Using cotton swabs: Many people think that using cotton swabs to remove earwax is a good idea. But in reality, cotton swabs can actually push earwax further in. Also, the sharp tip of the cotton swab can damage the skin in the ear canal. This wax is a natural protection for our ears. It prevents germs from entering. So, trying to force it out can be harmful.
• Putting things that don't fit in your ears: Some people put things like bobby pins and paper clips in their ears and scratch them. These are very dangerous. They can even injure the eardrum.
• Dry skin or conditions like eczema: Some people have very dry skin inside their ears. Or they may have a condition like eczema. In such cases, small cracks and fissures can form in the skin, which can lead to infections.
• Middle ear infection: Rarely, a person with a middle ear infection can develop a small hole in the eardrum, allowing pus to drain out into the outer ear cavity. This pus can also cause swimmer's ear.

Now you understand, right? This isn't just limited to swimmers.

How do you know if you have 'swimmer's ear'? What are the symptoms?

The main and most noticeable symptom of 'swimmer's ear' is ear pain. This pain can gradually increase, and sometimes become unbearable.

Let's see what other features it has:

• Ear pain: This is the main sign.
• The pain increases when the outer part of the ear, that is, the earlobe, is touched, pulled, or pressed.
• You can feel the pain even when you eat or move your jaw. Imagine how difficult it would be if it hurt even when you spoke.
• Itchy ear: Before the pain starts, you may feel a slight itch inside the ear. This can be the first sign that an infection is starting to develop.
• Feeling of fullness and congestion in the ear: As the ear canal swells, you may feel uncomfortable, as if something is full, heavy, or clogged inside the ear.
• Redness or swelling of the outer part of the ear: Sometimes the earlobe and the area around the ear may appear red and swollen.
• Swollen lymph nodes: The lymph nodes around the ear – which we commonly call the lymph nodes – can become swollen and painful to the touch.
• Discharge from the ear: A liquid-like discharge may come from the ear canal.
• At first, this may look like a clear liquid.
• After a while, it can turn into a brown, yellow, and sometimes pus-like thick substance.
• Temporary hearing loss: If the ear canal becomes blocked by pus or swelling, your hearing may be temporarily reduced. This is usually temporary and will return once the infection clears.
• Fever: Most children with swimmer's ear do not develop a fever. However, if the infection is severe, a low-grade fever may develop.

If you or your child has one or more of these symptoms, there's a good chance it's 'swimmer's ear'.

A few tips to help prevent 'swimmer's ear'

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So, there are a few simple things we can do to stay safe from these pesky 'swimmer's ear'.

• Keep your ears dry:
• After bathing or swimming, tilt your head to the side to help drain any water from your ears.
• As you slowly pull the earlobe back and up, the water will come out easily when you shake your head.
• Gently wipe only the outside of the ear with a clean, dry cloth or towel.
• Never try to dry your ears by putting things like cotton buds inside them.
• You can also dry your ear by setting the hair dryer on the lowest setting and holding it about a foot away from the ear. But be very careful.
• Use earplugs when swimming: If you are a frequent swimmer, it is a good idea to use a good pair of earplugs to reduce the risk of water getting into your ears. It is especially important to protect your ears if you have to swim in dirty water (e.g., floodwaters).
• Avoid putting your fingers or hairpins in your ears: When cleaning your ears, do not put anything inside your ears to remove earwax. Even your fingernail can damage the delicate skin of your ears.
• Don't bother with earwax: Earwax is a natural protection for our ears. Don't try to remove it too often. If there is an excessive amount of earwax in the ear, it will come out on its own.

Important: If you have a persistent problem with earwax, or if your ear feels blocked, see a doctor to have it cleaned. Never try to clean your ear yourself at home.

If you take care of these little things, you can greatly reduce the risk of developing 'swimmer's ear'.

When should we see a doctor?

It's best to see a doctor as soon as you start experiencing symptoms of 'swimmer's ear', especially:

• If the ear pain is severe, or does not subside in a day or two.
• If there is a pus-like discharge coming from the ear.
• If you have a fever.
• If you feel like you have lost your hearing.
• If the area around the ear is swollen and red.
• If you have other chronic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, seek medical advice immediately, as even a minor infection can quickly become serious.

Your doctor will examine your ear and tell you exactly whether it is swimmer's ear or something else. In most cases, the condition will clear up in a few days with the use of ear drops. Sometimes painkillers may also be prescribed. Never buy or use over-the-counter medications, especially for young children, without consulting a doctor .

The most important things to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

Although 'swimmer's ear' is a slightly annoying and painful condition, it is not dangerous. If recognized correctly and treated promptly, it can be cured quickly.

• 'Swimmer's ear' is an infection of the ear canal. The main cause is moisture and damage to the skin in the ear canal.
• It can happen to anyone, not just swimmers. Things like using cotton buds and scratching your ear can also cause it.
• The main symptom is ear pain. Other symptoms may include itching, discharge from the ear, and hearing loss.
• The best prevention methods are to keep the ears dry and avoid putting unnecessary objects in the ears.
• Seek medical advice as soon as symptoms appear. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you can recover.

So, I hope you now have a better understanding of 'Swimmer's Ear' (Otitis Externa). I hope this information will be useful for you and your family. Stay healthy!

` Swimmer's Ear, Otitis Externa, Ear Pain, Ear Infections, Swimming, Ear Health, Ear Diseases in Children