Swimmer's Ear: Not Just for Swimmers

Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is an exquisitely painful infection of the ear canal that leads to the ear drum. .According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, any activity that allows water to enter your ears can cause it. This includes showering, washing your hair, even using a sauna. In fact, just being in a warm, humid climate could do it.

The skin of the ear canal is normally protected by a thin coating of ear wax. Anything that disrupts this normal wax covering such as cotton swabs may allow or even cause otitis externa. When water enters the ear, it may bring bacterial or fungal particles. If 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, allowing the skin to get soggy. Then the bacteria and fungi flourish and can infect the outer ear skin. The infection can be cured with ear drops without the use of oral antibiotics.

See a doctor if any of these symptoms occur:

• Your ears feel blocked or itch.

• The ear canal becomes red, swollen, perhaps even swelling shut.

• A milky fluid drains from your ear.

• The ear becomes very painful and tender to touch, especially the cartilage in front of the ear canal.

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