How swimmer's ear is treated

Swimmer's ear is irritation and inflammation in the outer ear canal. The canal may become swollen, tender, itchy, or narrowed, with discharge or muffled hearing. A clinician checks the canal and eardrum because treatment must be safe for the findings. Drops may contain medicine to reduce inflammation, treat infection, or both. If swelling prevents drops reaching the canal, a clinician may need to clean it or use a small wick. Symptoms can also come from another ear problem, so leftover drops should not be reused without advice.

Use prescribed drops exactly as directed and keep the bottle tip from touching the ear. Lie with the affected ear upward for a short period after applying drops if instructed. Keep water out during showers and avoid swimming until advised that it is sensible. Do not scratch, probe, or flush the canal. Pain relief may be appropriate for you, but check the label and ask a pharmacist if you have other conditions or take regular medicines. A GP consultation can confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Seek review if pain, swelling, discharge, or hearing difficulty is worsening or not improving with the treatment plan. Get prompt care for fever, spreading redness, swelling behind the ear, severe pain, dizziness, or facial weakness. Contact a clinician before using drops if you have a perforated eardrum, ear tubes, or previous ear surgery. Diabetes or reduced immunity also calls for earlier medical advice.

Ask what the examination shows, which drops are being used and for how long, whether the eardrum is intact, how to keep the ear dry, and what improvement should prompt a follow-up visit. Tell the clinician about allergies, ear surgery, tubes, discharge, and hearing changes.