Swimmers Ear

Let’s talk SWIMMERS EAR 🏊🏻‍♀️👂🏻

What is swimmers ear?

The medical term for swimmers ear is Ottitis Externa. It is a painful condition where the skin in the ear canal becomes infected. This condition commonly occurs when water gets stuck in the ear, so you are more likely to get this if you are water active. However, anyone can get ottitis externa, even if it is a small amount of water going in the ear canal. This is because warm and wet makes a perfect breading ground for bacteria, causing irritation, pain, inflammation.

What are the signs and symptom?

These include, pain,redness and swelling, itching. You may feel a full feeling in the ear.

SURFERS EAR is different 🏄🏻‍♀️👂🏻

‘Surfers ear’ is the bone growth that occurs in response to repeated prolonged exposure to cold water. It is a different condition. It is possible that occasionally you can have both conditions at the same time.

PREVENTION

👍🏻Ensure you dry your ears thoroughly after taking a shower or swimming

👍🏻Do not immerse your head in dirty bath water.

👍🏻Invest in specialist swimming ear plugs

What to do if you have Symptoms?

Remember, there are also other types of ear infection arising for different reasons. If you are suffering with pain, heat, discharge, excessive itching, dizziness or nausea then seek medical advice from your GP