What should you know about OTC medicine for swimmer's ear?

Swimmer's ear, also called otitis externa, affects the skin lining the ear canal. Moisture, scratching, earbuds or trapped debris can weaken that skin and allow inflammation or infection. Earache, tenderness when the outer ear is moved, itching, swelling or discharge may occur; muffled hearing can result when the canal narrows. Pain medicine may make you more comfortable but does not clear an infection. The right drops depend on the appearance of the canal and whether the eardrum is intact.

Keep the ear dry and do not put cotton buds, fingers, oils or improvised drops into the canal. Avoid swimming until pain and discharge have settled. A pharmacist can advise on a suitable pain reliever after checking allergies, pregnancy, stomach problems, kidney disease and other medicines. Do not use drying or antiseptic ear drops if you may have a perforated eardrum, ear tubes or unexplained discharge unless a clinician has advised it. A GP Consultation can identify whether prescription drops, cleaning or another treatment is needed.

Arrange medical assessment promptly for severe or increasing pain, fever, spreading redness, swelling around the ear, pus or blood, new Hearing Loss, or symptoms that do not improve. Seek urgent help if you feel very unwell, have facial weakness, or have diabetes or a weakened immune system with an ear infection. An Earache after an injury or insertion of an object also needs examination. Do not delay because pain medicine temporarily reduces the discomfort.

Is my eardrum intact, and which drops are safe? Do I need the canal cleaned or prescription treatment? When can I swim or use earbuds again?