Swimmer’s Ear, What’s the Cause?

A senior man on a surfboard at risk for swimmer's ear.

Imagine you’re in an old school noir movie and you play a detective. You’re trying to find a killer (and you’re being rather hard-boiled about it, whatever that means) and you have just one clue: the suspect is afflicted with Swimmer’s Ear.

So there’s an extended montage (with dramatic music) as you dig through old high school yearbooks and local newspaper articles. You’re wondering if any of your main suspects may have been on the school swim team. Or if they presently have a membership at the local swim club.

Of course, finally you discover one (and only one, that’s the way these movies work) who fits the bill, and it takes you straight to the killer. Case closed! There will likely also be some action and serious dialog at some point. And it’s all thanks to Swimmer’s Ear.

In real life, sadly, it doesn’t really work that way. The hard-boiled detective made a flawed assumption. In real life, Swimmer’s Ear does not impact only swimmers.

Swimmer’s Ear – exactly what is it?

Coping with the symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear is not at all fun. Normally, you’re dealing with redness around the outer ear, a lot of itching (usually inside the ear canal, where you can’t really get to it), pain when you wiggle your earlobe, and maybe even some pus. It’s… not pleasant.

Even though Swimmer’s Ear isn’t a life threatening situation, it can still have a substantial effect on your quality of life. It can make your life very difficult. Hearing loss can even occur during the infection.

What is the difference between Swimmer’s Ear and an ear infection? Normally, it’s the location. While an ear infection typically affects the inner ear, Swimmer’s Ear affects the outer ear canal. This usually means a bacteria or fungus is infecting the outer ear (if you’ve been streaming The Last of Us, you don’t have to be concerned about this specific fungus turning you into a zombie).

What causes Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s Ear usually isn’t caused by swimming. Rather, Swimmer’s Ear is caused by an infection, normally a bacteria or a fungus.

But our movie detective wasn’t totally wrong, Swimmer’s Ear isn’t always completely unrelated to swimming. Both fungi and bacteria like warm, moist environments, so it’s not entirely shocking that prolonged exposure to water can boost your risk of developing Swimmer’s Ear.

But water’s not the only risk factor in regards to Swimmer’s Ear. Here are a few other ways you can develop this outer ear infection:

  • Sustaining an injury to your ear canal. This can occasionally occur during cleaning (if you’re too aggressive with your fingernails or a cotton swab, for example). Swimmer’s Ear can be a result of a cut or scratch that has become infected.
  • Excess ear wax. Earwax is produced by your ears in order to keep them clean. But too much of a good thing can be possibly detrimental in this case, the additional earwax can become a vehicle for bacteria, and aggravate the skin in your ear canal at the same time.
  • Devices designed for your ear. This may include earplugs, hearing aids, or other devices that we advise you to wear. Your risk of getting Swimmer’s Ear will be greater if you use these devices constantly or incorrectly. Still, there are some ways you can deal with this risk (after all, it’s important to use ear protection or hearing aids!)
  • Weakened immune systems. Fungal infections can develop if your immune system isn’t at peak capacity.
  • Medical history. If you have a history of skin conditions or topical allergies, it might make you more prone to developing Swimmer’s Ear in the future.

Of course, this is all about risk, none of these factors guarantee you will experience Swimmer’s Ear (or that you won’t). Just because your ear gets wet doesn’t mean you’ll instantly develop this condition. But extended exposure to wetness will boost your chances of experiencing Swimmer’s Ear.

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

Because there’s not one single cause of Swimmer’s Ear, there are a variety of steps you can take that will help minimize the chance of developing this condition in the future.

  • Keep your ears dry: After you shower or go for a swim or take a bath, use a towel to lightly dry your ears. You don’t need to be rough. Also, drain the water out of your ear by tipping your head. If you are able to keep your ears dry, the bacteria or fungi will have a less favorable place to grow.
  • Don’t utilize implements to clean your ears: If something is bigger than your finger, don’t stick it in your ear. This means you need to steer clear of bobby pins, cotton swabs, or anything else you can think of. Your ears will thank you!
  • Clean your hearing aids and earplugs: If they stay clean, you can help decrease the spread of germs, including bacteria.
  • Use earplugs if you swim a lot: This will help prevent water from getting into your ears in the first place.
  • Special drying agents are available which we can help you with: These are basically ear drops that will help dry your ears which you can get over-the-counter. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consult your doctor about anything you may put in your ears.
  • At the very least, you’ll want to keep an eye out for symptoms. Don’t wait until your Swimmer’s Ear is intolerable before you speak with your doctor.

    Swimmer’s Ear FAQ

    • Does Swimmer’s Ear clear itself up? Possibly. A few weeks might be enough to clear up mild cases. But more severe cases will linger until they are correctly treated.
    • What are the treatments for Swimmer’s Ear? Usually, this condition is treated with antibiotic ear drops. In the case of a fungal infection, they might be antifungal ear drops.
    • If I have ear pain after swimming, is it always Swimmer’s Ear? Not necessarily, though it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor either way.

    Solve the case of your Swimmer’s Ear

    If your ears are painful and itchy, it’s sort of your body’s way of letting you know that something’s wrong, and an infection is a pretty likely source of the problem. In other words, you don’t have to be a swimmer to experience Swimmer’s Ear. Getting medical help is the next step and you don’t have to be a detective to figure that out.

    So if you experience those symptoms, schedule an appointment and get the care you need when you need it.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

Questions? Talk To Us.