Otitis externa (swimmer's ear)
ear; ears; otitis; externa; external; canal; swimmer's; swimmers; water; swimming; pain; discharge; smell;
Contents
Otitis externa, which is commonly known as swimmer's ear, is an infection of the skin lining the ear canal, the tube which carries sound from outside the ear to the middle ear.
Causes of otitis externa
- If water stays in the ear canal, it washes away the protective coating of wax and the skin becomes soggy, making it easy for bacteria or a fungus to cause an infection.
- This type of infection often happens when children spend a lot of time swimming (especially in dirty water).
- Water can get into the ear at other times, such as when a child's hair is washed or during a bath.
- The ear canal of young children is quite narrow, and water can be trapped in a child's ear canal more often than it is in an adult's. Some children have even narrower ear canals than other children, and are much more likely to have these ear infections than most children.
- The lining of the ear canal can also become soggy and infected in some people who live in very damp, tropical places.
- Otitis externa can also happen if the skin lining the ear canal is scratched. This can happen when something such as a fingernail, cotton bud, paper clip or other object is poked into the ear.
- Some people have a reaction to some sprays, such as hair spray, causing the skin to swell and be more likely to become infected.
Signs and symptoms of otitis externa
- The most common symptom is pain. The pain can be mild or quite severe. It may be made worse by touching or moving the ear, or chewing. If the infection becomes bad, the pain can spread into the face and neck.
- Sometimes the ear becomes very itchy.
- Swelling of the skin in the ear canal can make the ear canal feel full and blocked.
- There may be a discharge, which often starts out being clear, then becomes cloudy and yellow (sometimes greenish). This discharge usually has a bad smell.
- If the ear canal becomes blocked, the child's hearing may be affected.
- Usually the child isn't sick, and does not have a fever.
- Rarely the infection spreads into the skin and bone around the ear. The pain gets worse, there will be swelling around the ear, and the child will become unwell.
Treatment for otitis externa
- If you think your child has otitis externa, it would be a good idea to have her ears checked by a doctor.
- Your doctor will be able to look inside the ear canal, see if the ear canal needs cleaning, and prescribe drops or antibiotics for the infection if needed. Eardrops often need to be used several times a day for about a week, or longer if the infection keeps coming back.
- Cleaning the ear canal should only be done by a doctor, who can see inside clearly and use special instruments to do the cleaning.
- Your doctor may need to place a cotton wick into the ear canal to help carry the drops to the infected area.
- The pain of otitis externa can be bad. You could give her paracetamol or ibuprofen (see the topic Using paracetamol or ibuprofen).
- A heat pack over the ear can also be soothing. Be very careful that it is not too hot, as that can cause burns.
- Keep water out of her ears. She may need to stop swimming, or use earplugs and a swimming cap. Also use earplugs or a shower cap when she is having a bath or a shower.
Preventing otitis externa
- The most important thing is to make sure that the ear canals are as dry as possible most of the time.
- If your child gets a lot of infections, your doctor may say that he should not go swimming, and should always use earplugs or a shower cap when water might get into his ears. Usually it isn't necessary to avoid all swimming.
- Earplugs which are specially shaped to fit your child's ears might be helpful.
- Get your child to dry his outer ear with a towel after swimming or having a bath or shower, then turn his head from side to side to help water to run out.
- Do not dry the ear canals with cotton buds, and do not push anything else into the ear canals.
- Some people have suggested using a hair dryer to gently blow cool air (do not use any heat!!) into the ear canal.
- Your doctor may be able to recommend some eardrops which have alcohol in them, which can help dry the ears. These should only be used if the skin and eardrum are healthy, as putting these drops on infected skin can cause a lot of pain.
References
American Academy of Otolaryngology 'Swimmer's ear'
http://www.entnet.org/
Better Health Channel 'Swimmer's ear'
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
KidsHealth: (Nemours Foundation) 'Swimmer's ear (Otitis externa)'
http://kidshealth.org
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
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child's sex.