Definition
- An infection or irritation of the skin that lines the ear canal
- The ear canal is itchy or painful
- Caused by lots of swimming or using cotton swabs
Symptoms
- Starts with an itchy ear canal
- Ear canal can become painful
- Pain gets worse when the ear is moved up and down
- The ear feels plugged or full
- Ear discharge may start as the swimmer’s ear gets worse
- No cold symptoms or fever
Causes
- When water gets trapped in the ear canal, the lining becomes wet and swollen.
- This makes it prone to an infection with germs (swimmer’s ear).
- Wax buildup also traps water behind it. Most often, this is caused by cotton swabs.
- Ear canals were meant to be dry.
Return to School
- Swimmer’s ear cannot be spread to others. No need to miss any school or child care.
When to Call Us for Ear – Swimmer’s
Call Us Immediately If: Click to View
Call Us Now (night or day) If:
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Severe ear pain and not improved after using care advice
- Redness and swelling of outer ear
- Fever over 104° F (40° C)
- You think your child needs to be seen urgently
Call Us Within 24 Hours If: Click to View
Call Us Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If:
- You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently
- Yellow discharge or pus from ear canal
- Fever
- Blocked ear canal
- Swollen lymph node near ear
- You are not sure that ear pain is caused by swimmer’s ear
- Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment
Call Us During Weekday Office Hours If:
- You have other questions or concerns
Parent Care at Home If: Click to View
Parent Care at Home If:
- Swimmer’s ear with no complications
Care Advice for Ear – Swimmer’s
What You Should Know:
- Swimmer’s ear is a mild infection of the ear canal.
- It’s caused by water getting trapped in the ear canal. Ear canals were meant to be dry.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
White Vinegar Rinses:
- Rinse the ear canals with half-strength white vinegar. Mix vinegar with equal parts warm water. (Exception: ear tubes or hole in eardrum.)
- Start by having your child lie down with the painful ear upward.
- Fill the ear canal.
- Wait 5 minutes. Then, turn your child’s head to the side and move the ear. This will remove the vinegar rinse.
- Do the other side.
- Continue twice a day until the ear canal returns to normal.
- Reason: Restores the normal acid pH of the ear canal and lessens swelling.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Use as needed. See Dose Table.
Heat Pack:
- If pain is moderate to severe, use a heating pad (set on low). You can also use a warm wet cloth to outer ear. Do this for 20 minutes. (Caution: Avoid burns). This will also increase drainage.
Reduce Swimming Times:
- Try not to swim until symptoms are gone.
- If on a swim team, it’s usually okay to continue.
- Swimming may slow your child’s recovery, but causes no serious harm.
Return to School:
- Swimmer’s ear cannot be spread to others.
What to Expect:
- With treatment, symptoms should be better in 3 days.
- They should be gone in 7 days.
Prevention of Symptoms:
- Try to keep the ear canals dry.
- After showers, hair washing, or swimming, help the water run out of ears. Do this by turning the head.
- Do not use cotton swabs. Reason: Packs in the earwax. The wax buildup then traps water behind it.
- If swimmer’s ear is a frequent problem, rinse the ear canals after swimming. Use a few drops of a white vinegar-rubbing alcohol rinse. Use equal parts of each to make the rinse.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Ear pain becomes severe
- Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment
- Your child becomes worse