Table of contents:
- What is that swimmer's ear?
- Cause swimmer's ear
- What can increase your risk of getting ear infections after swimming?
- What are the signs and symptoms of ear infectionsswimmer's ear?
- How to treat ear infections swimmer's ear
- Complications that may occur due to ear infections swimmer's ear
- Treatment success and means of prevention
If you are a swimmer or have a hobby of swimming, the ear that is drenched in water is certainly a common thing. However, if you are not careful, the water that enters it has the potential to cause an ear infection called an ear infection swimmer's ear.
What is that swimmer's ear?
Swimmer's ear is an external ear infection caused by exposure to persistent moisture from the remaining water trapped in the ear after swimming or diving. The labyrinthine combination of ear structures and the water trapped in them creates a moist environment suitable for bacteria and fungi to grow. Term swimmer's ear itself appears because this condition is often experienced by those who often swim.
Cause swimmer's ear
Normally, the human ear produces earwax or wax as a form of natural defense from germs that will enter the ear. Swimmer's ear can occur when your ears don't produce enough earwax to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Some of the following conditions can cause you to experience swimmer's ear:
- Allowing too much water to enter the ear
- Too often clean the ears with cotton buds
- Allowing various chemicals such as hairspray gets into the ear, causing a sensitivity reaction.
- Picking up the ear, causing peeling of the skin and making it a source of ear infection
- Put a foreign object in the ear
What can increase your risk of getting ear infections after swimming?
There are several conditions that can increase your risk of developing an ear infectionswimmer's ear:
- Often swim, especially in public swimming pools
- Swim in places that contain bacteria or have dirty water
- Use headphones or hearing aids that can injure the ear
- Have a medical condition such as psoriasis, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis
What are the signs and symptoms of ear infectionsswimmer's ear?
Some signs and symptoms of ear infectionsswimmer's ear among others:
- Swollen ears
- Redness
- Feels hot
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Pus or discharge
- Itching in the ear canal
- Hearing impairment
Pain in the face, head, and neck can be felt when this ear infection has spread. Symptoms accompanied by fever or swollen lymph nodes can also be a sign that the infection is severe. If you experience ear pain accompanied by the above symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
How to treat ear infections swimmer's ear
For ear infections that do not go away on their own, your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotic ear drops. Doctors can also give antibiotics mixed with steroids to reduce swelling in the ear canal. These drops are usually used several times a day for seven to ten days.
If your ear infection is caused by a fungus, your doctor will prescribe anti-fungal ear drops. This type of infection is usually experienced by people with diabetes or immune system disorders.
To reduce symptoms, it is important that you protect your ears from water during the healing process. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also be used to help relieve pain.
Complications that may occur due to ear infections swimmer's ear
If an external ear infection is left untreated and does not go away on its own, it can cause several complications. An abscess is one of them, so your doctor may have to drain the pus that has built up in it.
Long-lasting ear infections can also cause narrowing of the ear canal. This narrowing can affect hearing function and, in extreme cases, can cause hearing loss.
Tearing of the eardrum can also be a complication of an external ear infection. This condition can cause intense pain. Symptoms can include temporary hearing loss, hearing ringing or buzzing, discharge from the ear, and bleeding from the ear.
In some rare cases, external ear infection can also give rise to the so-called malignant condition malignant necrotizing otitis externa. This condition is a very serious condition, where the infection spreads to the cartilage and hard bone around the ear canal. Symptoms can include ear pain and severe headaches, continuous discharge from the ear, paralysis of the facial nerve on the affected side of the ear, and exposure to bone in the ear canal.
Treatment success and means of prevention
If treated properly, then swimmer's ear will recover well. The best way to prevent this condition is to keep your ears dry. When you swim, try wearing earplugs or a swim cap to keep water out. After swimming and rinsing your body, dry your ears until they are completely dry. Try to tilt your ear to one side to help expel water. Also avoid using ear plugs too often as this can increase the risk of ear infections.
