Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear (external otitis) is usually very easy to diagnose. It usually involves the external area of the ear canal only, and it is extremely painful. There will sometimes be an odor eminating from the ear. There will almost always be a recent history of swimming. The best test to determine if you have swimmer's ear is to touch the pointed part of the ear which covers the opening. This is called the pinna. It is extraordinarily sensitive to push on this area if you have swimmer's ear. Another type of ear infection is called otitis media. This condition does not result in tenderness when one pushes on the pinna of the ear. It almost always follows an upper respiratory infection that has included head congestion.

The problem is treatable with the application of appropriate drops. Most patients who have difficulty treating their swimmer's ear problem simply have not treated long enough. There is a temptation to discontinue treatment after the initial painhas settled down. Swimmer's ear needs to be treated for at least two weeks. The drops that you use for your condition should have the pain significantly improved by three or four days; however, you must continue to use it four times daily for a full two weeks.

I then recommend that you use it every time you shower or swim for another three weeks. In almost all cases this is sufficient to defeat the infection. If your problem recurs after this treatment plan, then you must be treated with more aggressive drops or oral medications which are only available through your physician.

When patients follow the treatment protocol outlined above, it is rare for to have to use oral medication. There is only one problem that can mimic swimmer's ear closely, and that is an internal ear infection that has ruptured the ear drum and allowed pus to flow out of the ear. In this situation the patient would have had significant ear pain; however, it would not have hurt to touch the pinna. In addition as soon as the pus began to come through the ear drum, the pain would subside significantly.

The best part about swimmer's ear treatment over the Internet is that even if you have the other problem, this treatment is highly unlikely to cause any problems. It simply will not make things much better. Therefore, I always ask patients to check with their own physician if they are not better in the proper length of time. I hope this helps you in your efforts to get this stubborn problem treated easily and effectively.

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