Q: What is swimmer's ear and are there ways of preventing it?

A: Swimmer's ear, which is called otitis externa by physicians, is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal outside of the ear drum. This is a different disease than otitis media, or infection behind the ear drum, although the symptoms are similar (ear pain and often hearing loss). One clue to differentiating these two problems is that during otitis externa, the outer ear and ear canal are often tender to touch. Otitis externa is also more likely to cause drainage from the ear.

There are multiple causes of otitis externa. The name "swimmer's ear" arose because of infections that arise from having water trapped in the ear canal. These infections can be caused by bacteria or fungus. Other common causes include dermatitis, or skin inflammation, within the ear as well as self-induced infections caused from patients attempting to clean their own ears.

Treatment for otitis externa almost always involves applying ear drops to the ear canal. For particularly severe infections, oral antibiotics and pain medication may also be required. Your doctor might clean the canal in the office and apply a "wick" to help the ear drops penetrate the swollen opening. It is also important to keep the ear dry during the healing process. Sometimes the best treatment is prevention. Using ear plugs to prevent water from entering the ear canal is often beneficial. Do not use cotton tip applicators or other small objects to clean your ears. Before using any over-the-counter or home remedies, be sure to consult your physician.