Although swimming can be great fun and excellent exercise, it can also produce an irritating itch that may be caused by "swimmer's ear."

 

"Swimmer's ear" is just one name used to refer to an infection of the outer ear canal. Such an infection may both inflame the ear and cause it to itch. Sometimes swimmer's ear is caused by a fungus; but more frequently, especially when the sufferer experiences pain, common bacteria is to blame.

 

When water gets into the ear, it can carry with it bacterial or fungal particles. Normally, water that gets into the ear will simply run back out. This action allows the ear to dry and keeps the bacteria or fungi from becoming a
problem. Sometimes, however, water becomes trapped inside in the ear canal. When this happens, the skin inside the ear becomes soggy, allowing the bacteria or fungi to multiply and flourish. Under these circumstances,
a break in the skin barrier of the ear canal can lead to the infection referred to as swimmer's ear.

 

One does not even have to be a swimmer to suffer from such an infection. Moisture from ordinary showering or even perspiration can sometimes be the culprit.

 

 

Swimmer's ear causes the ear to itch and feel blocked. The ear canal becomes swollen and can sometimes swell shut. A runny, milky liquid may start to drain out, and one may feel mild to very strong pain in the ear canal. The ear may become very tender to the touch, particularly the tragus, which is the triangular piece of cartilage that is in front of the ear canal. With an advanced infection, glands in the neck may also become swollen.

 

 

You are much less likely to get an infection if you keep your ears dry. Indeed, swimmer's ear can often be easily prevented by simply using antiseptic eardrops whenever one feels water trapped in the ears. These eardrops are
an inexpensive, over-the-counter treatment sold under a number of different trade names.

 

If your doctor gives you the OK, you may even be able to make your own eardrops. Rubbing alcohol is an important ingredient, as it helps dry out the ear and can help to kill the bacteria and fungi that may be inside the canal. You will also probably want to add white vinegar (mixed with an equal part of rubbing alcohol) to discourage any further bacterial or fungal growth. You may obtain a dropper bottle for your homemade drops from your pharmacist.

 

One important caution, however: if you already have an ear infection, you should never use eardrops (or even go swimming) without first consulting with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Similarly, people who have had ear
surgery or have ever had a perforated or injured eardrum should consult their ENT doctor before swimming or using any kind of eardrops. Instead of using drops, a person with a perforated eardrum may be able to keep his
ear dry using an ordinary hair dryer. Other ways to keep ears dry obviously include avoiding swimming and using earplugs or cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly when showering. Everyone should be wary of cotton
swabs, however, because they can often push material deeper into the ear and irritate the skin of the canal or make it bleed.

 

 

You should not treat even a minor ear infection yourself if you have a weakened immune system, suffer from diabetes, or have ever had ear surgery or a ruptured eardrum. Even if you do not fall into one of these categories, you should seek medical attention if your symptoms last longer than two or three days or if they appear to worsen.

 

You should also seek medical advice if you find that ear infections are a frequently recurring problem. Other signs that your ear infection requires medical attention: If you feel strong pain, your tragus hurts when touched, or the glands in your neck are swollen.

 

If your problem is simply recurring itchiness of the ear, the cause may not be swimmer's ear at all, but rather chronic dermatitis or skin inflammation of the ear canal. One type of dermatitis, which is similar to dandruff, produces abundant ear wax that is dry and flaky. Sometimes sufferers are advised to reduce their intake of certain foods (such as chocolate, greasy foods, and carbohydrates) which may aggravate this condition. Your doctor may also prescribe a cortisone eardrop to use at bedtime if your ears itch.

 

In a few cases, itchy ears are caused by allergies which require specific medical attention.

Hector N. Hernandez, M.D., P.A.
Medicare Assignment Accepted - New Patients Welcome
21297-A Olean Boulevard Port Charlotte, Florida 33952
Phone: 941-764-0660