Otitis Externa: Everything You Need to Know About Swimmer’s Ear

You step out of the pool or shower and suddenly feel your ear clog up. Sounds seem muffled, your ear itches, and after a few hours, it starts to hurt. Most people brush this off — but often, that irritation is a sign of otitis externa, better known as swimmer’s ear.

It’s one of those common ear problems that can sneak up quietly and quickly turn painful. The good news is that with the right care, it’s completely treatable — and usually preventable too.

What Is Otitis Externa?

Otitis externa is an infection or inflammation in the ear canal — the narrow passage that connects your outer ear to your eardrum. It’s different from a middle ear infection, which happens deeper inside.

The condition occurs when trapped water, moisture, or even tiny scratches inside the ear create the perfect place for bacteria or fungi to grow. Because it often happens after swimming, it’s commonly called swimmer’s ear.

But you don’t have to be a swimmer to get it. It can develop after a shower, a humid day, or even after cleaning your ears too harshly.

Understanding the Parts of the Ear

It is beneficial to know the parts of the ear affected to comprehend otitis externa better.

Outer ear: With otitis externa occurring in the outer ear and where the ear canal's visible ear is.

Middle ear: The eardrum and small bones that transmit sound to the inner ear are a part of the middle ear.

Inner ear: The innermost region, which is responsible for hearing and balance.

Otitis externa only develops on the outer ear canal; however, if untreated, it can go deeper into the ear and cause temporary hearing loss or severe pain.

Why Otitis Externa Happens

The main trigger is moisture trapped inside the ear after swimming or bathing. The skin inside the ear becomes soft, losing its natural barrier, allowing bacteria or fungi to grow.

But this isn't the only cause. Some of the ways to develop it are:

• Using cotton swabs or sharp objects to clean your ears
• Wearing earphones or hearing aids for long hours
• Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
• Hair dyes, shampoos, or sprays that irritate the ear canal
• Excess earwax removal that leaves the canal unprotected
• Even a tiny scratch inside the ear can lead to an infection.

Common Otitis Externa Symptoms

Otitis externa symptoms might start rather slowly. In the beginning, you may feel itchy or blocked in just a small way. The infection then grows and brings with it the following to your ears:

• Sharp pain that gets worse on touching the outer ear
• Redness or swelling all around the ear canal
• The sensation of fullness or pressing in the ear
• Clear, cloudy, or even yellow discharge
• Itching or flaking inside the ear canal
• Reduced or muffled hearing

Pain can spread to the jaw or neck if left untreated. The skin around the ear may also become tender and swollen.

If any of these otitis externa symptoms persist for more than two days, it’s best to see an ENT specialist before it worsens.

How to Remove Water from Ear Safely

Trapped water in the ear is one of the biggest causes of swimmer’s ear. Knowing how to remove water from ear safely can help prevent infection.

Here are some simple steps:

• Tilt your head to the side and gently tug on your earlobe to help water drain out.
• Lie down on your side for a few minutes so gravity can do the work.
• Use a soft towel to dry the outer ear, but never put anything inside the ear canal.
• Apply gentle warmth with a warm compress for a few minutes to help evaporation.
• Avoid using earbuds, cotton swabs, or any objects that can push water deeper.

If you’re a regular swimmer, using doctor-recommended drying drops or wearing earplugs can help prevent swimmer’s ear from returning.

When to See a Doctor

Sometimes, mild infections clear up with home care, but don’t wait too long. See a doctor if:

• The pain or swelling worsens
• There’s discharge or foul smell from the ear
• Hearing feels blocked or muffled
• The skin around your ear becomes red or warm

An ENT doctor will examine your ear with a lighted scope, identify if it’s otitis externa, and check whether the infection has spread.

Otitis Externa Treatment

The best part? Otitis externa treatment is usually simple and works fast when started early.

Treatment may include:

• Prescription ear drops with antibiotics or antifungal agents
• Anti-inflammatory drops to reduce swelling and itching
• Gentle ear cleaning by the doctor to clear debris or discharge
• Pain relievers for comfort during recovery
• Avoiding water until the infection has fully healed

Most people start feeling better within a few days. Severe cases may take longer but respond well to consistent care.

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

Once you’ve had swimmer’s ear, you’ll likely want to avoid it again — and prevention is straightforward.

• Keep your ears dry after swimming or bathing.
• Avoid inserting cotton swabs or fingers into your ear canal.
• Dry your ears gently with a towel, not a hairdryer.
• Clean earphones and hearing aids regularly.
• Avoid home remedies or ear candles — they can do more harm than good.
• Ask your ENT about preventive ear drops if you swim often.
• A little daily care can keep your ears healthy and infection-free.

Possible Complications

Treated correctly, the majority of patients will return to their normal state, nevertheless the failure to treat the otitis externa can lead to a further spread down into adjacent skin and bone, resulting in a chronic pain or swelling situation.

Very few times, diabetic or immunocompromised patients may develop a severe type of malignant otitis externa that requires prompt medical intervention.Thankfully, it’s uncommon — and easy to prevent with early care.

Final Thoughts

Otitis externa may not sound serious, but it can quickly become uncomfortable if ignored. The skin inside the ear is delicate — and once it’s irritated or wet for too long, infection sets in easily.

In the case of treating otitis externa promptly, the ear most likely heals quick and to the full extent. The main thing is to spot the early warning signals — itchiness, slight discomfort, or stuffed feeling — and apply treatment to them before they escalate.

Among the things you can do are: mastering the technique of removing water from the ear in a safe manner, prevention of wetness in the ears, and unnecessary cleaning of the ears should be avoided.

Your ears are self-cleaning, sensitive, and resilient. With a little care, you can protect them from swimmer’s ear and keep your hearing clear, your balance steady, and your everyday comfort intact.

FAQs

What is otitis externa?

Otitis externa is an infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal, usually attributed to trapped water or bacterial invasion; well recognized as swimmer’s ear.

How long does it take for otitis externa to heal?

The majority of ear infections go away after about a week or two with some eardrops and a doctor's attention.

How long otitis externa last?

Mild infections can clear in a few days, but more stubborn ones may take up to two weeks to fully settle.

How to get rid of otitis externa?

It usually clears with prescribed antibiotic or antifungal ear drops, keeping the ear dry, and avoiding irritation.

How to treat otitis externa?

Treatment involves cleaning the ear, using medicated ear drops, relieving pain, and staying away from water until the infection heals.