Otitis externa: Tips for a summer without ear problems
Summer means heat, high temperatures and swimming.
Children and adults head to swimming pools and the sea for swimming and water activities.
It is also the season when cases of otitis externa increase.
Otitis externa, also known as swimmer’s ear, is inflammation of the external ear canal and occurs at all ages.
- The most common cause is a bacterial infection; fungal infections are rare.
- Various predisposing factors have been described: swimming, moisture, injury, hearing aids, skin conditions, anatomical variations or obstruction of the external ear canal, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, stress and immunosuppression.
- Symptoms vary. Patients complain of itching and pain that usually worsens when the outer ear is pulled. Ear discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, a feeling of fullness, tinnitus, reduced hearing and a raised temperature may occur.
- The ENT specialist will clean the external ear canal and prescribe ear drops, painkillers and, rarely, oral antibiotics.
Some useful tips for preventing otitis externa are:
- Wear a swimming cap or earplugs to prevent too much water from entering the ear if you are prone to otitis externa.
- Avoid swimming in unclean water, such as lakes or rivers, because this increases the risk of ear infection with harmful microorganisms.
- Dry your ears thoroughly with a clean towel after swimming or bathing at home. If you feel that water remains, use a hairdryer on its lowest setting, held at a distance, to dry your ears for a few seconds. This will help remove residual moisture.
- Do not use cotton buds or other objects to clean your ears, as you may cause an injury. Consult an ENT specialist to have earwax removed safely.
- If you develop an ear infection, avoid swimming and contact with water until your symptoms have resolved, and consult your doctor.
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