Ear Pain After Swimming

Andrew was still recalling the wonderful pool party that he attended at Josie's place two days back. However, he just could not shake off the itchy feeling in the ear. He thought that it was just one of those temporary itches that subside in a few hours. But the itch transformed into a nagging pain that would shoot right through Andrew's ear every time he tried to put his head on one side. Was this somehow related to the pool party?

Well, Andrew's guess was right. He was suffering from the common ear problem - ear pain after swimming, which is commonly known as swimmer's ear.

Ear Pain After Swimming - Cause

The main reason behind inner ear pain after swimming is growth of bacteria and fungus in the ear canal. Sometimes while swimming, some amount of water may enter the ear and be trapped there for days. This provides perfect breeding ground for certain strains of bacteria and fungus. Swimmer's ear or external otitis or otitis externa as it is medically known, is common among those who spend long periods of time in water, especially in polluted waters of ponds, lakes or rivers. While these water contain harmful bacteria and fungus that are brought directly to the ear canal, those swimming for long hours in swimming pools also get such infections. The chlorine in the water of swimming pools make it easier for the causative micro-organisms to invade the skin of the ear canal. Although generally associated with water of large water bodies, external otitis can be caused from water of the shower as well. Besides swimming, cleaning one's ear with sharp objects like hair clips and bobby pins may also cause external otitis as this makes it easier for bacteria and fungus to enter through the broken skin in the ear canal. Read more on different parts of the human ear.

Ear Pain After Swimming - Symptoms

The common symptoms of external otitis or inner ear pain after swimming are given below.

• Pain in the ear when the pinna is touched or pulled.
• In many cases, the earache starts after there is an itch in the ear canal.
• The external ear may swell up or become red.
• Lymph nodes around the ear may enlarge.
• Hearing loss may result in the affected ear.
• The ear canal may swell and there may be greenish discharge of pus from the ear.
• In some cases, the person may also suffer from fever.

Read more on:

• Ear Pain in Children
• Ear Pain in Adults

Ear Pain After Swimming - Prevention

Swimmer's ear can be prevented by drying the ear carefully after every swim. However, in case you can't get water out of your ear, then put a few drops of alcohol based ear drop in each ear. One can also use white distilled vinegar or alcohol or mix equal amounts of the two liquids and add a few drops of the solution after every swim. Consulting the doctor before putting any ear drop to either prevent or treat swimmer's ear would be a good option. Alcohol and vinegar prevents swimmer's ear by helping water in the ear canal to dry. It also breaks water tension in the ear so that it runs out of the ear canal and it promotes a slightly acidic pH in the ear canal that prevents the growth of bacteria or fungus in the ear. An individual who is already suffering from severe ear pain after swimming should not apply alcohol or alcohol based products as that may increase the pain of an ear that already hurts. Ear plugs may be used although these are not very effective against pain in ear after swimming. In general, one should avoid swimming in polluted water. Read more on different ear problems.

Ear Pain After Swimming - Treatment

If you suspect that you have external otitis, see a doctor as that is the fastest way for ear pain relief. The doctor will prescribe an ear drop that needs to be administered a couple of times daily for about a week. These ear drops contain antibiotics or corticosteroids. In case of severe ear infection, antibiotics may be required to be taken orally.

Read more on:

• Cure for Ear Infection
• Earache Treatment at Home

Swimming is something that can't be resisted in the summers and this is the time when external otitis occurs most commonly. Hence lies the question, 'How soon can I go back to swimming after having suffered from ear pain after swimming?' Well one might need to keep one's ear dry for a week or 10 days. But the wait is much better than having another episode of ear pain after swimming.