What is Swimmer’s Ear?
It is a bacterial infection in the outer ear canal. Medically, it is known as Acute External Otitis or Otitis Externa. Swimmer’s ear usually occurs due to the accumulation of water or excessive moisture in the ear canal that facilitates bacterial growth. As the name suggests, this problem mostly affects the swimmers as the water directly reaches the ear canal while swimming. Excessive production of earwax, a narrow ear canal and swimming in bacteria-containing water are some of the factors that expose you to the risk of developing this condition. Swimmer’s ear is really painful, accompanied with a feeling of fullness and itching in the ear. It is not a serious problem and can be cured if treated properly with precautions.
Causes
The major causes of swimmer’s ear are:
- Accumulation of excessive moisture in the ear canal due to swimming and even during a shower leads to an infection.
- Inserting cotton swabs or any other pointed object can also lead to damage of the ear canal and removal of the protective layer of ear wax, thus allowing bacteria to grow in the ear canal.
- Using ear plugs, headphones, hearing aids and any other device may cause an infection in the ear canal.
- Use of hair dyes, hair sprays and shampoos may also lead to an infection in the ear.
Symptoms
Depending on the stage of the condition, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe.
Mild Symptoms
These symptoms are seen during the initial stage of swimmer’s ear.
- Odourless and clear discharge from the ears
- Slight redness in the ear
- Itching in the air canal
Moderate Symptoms
These warning signs appear during progressed stage.
- Stifled hearing
- Fluid, debris and swelling in the ear canal gives a feeling of blockage or fullness in the ear
- Pain that increases with movement
- Discharge of pus
- Severe itchiness
- Discharge of fluids in higher amounts
- Increase in the redness
Severe Symptoms
These signs are seen during advanced stage.
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