Explore why swimmer's ear will not go away on its own

Doctors explain that most ear infections—but not swimmer's ear—affect the middle ear

A typical ear infection occurs in the area behind the eardrum, but swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal. Its characteristic symptom is pain whenever the ear is moved, though it can also include itching and a sense of fullness. Symptoms typically begin within a few days or a week of a water buildup not being addressed.

Learn about swimmer's ear, which sickens 1 in 10 Americans

This outer ear infection—in the tube leading from the ear opening to the eardrum—is usually caused by bacteria. Formally called otitis externa, this condition is commonly called swimmer's ear because microbes can enter the ear canal while swimming.

Swimmer's ear is not contagious

Though a lot of people may have symptoms of swimmer's ear at the same time at the same pool, that's because they are all swimming and the moisture is remaining in their ears—not because they are passing this bacterial or fungal-caused infection to each other. People of any age swimming in a pool, lake, or other body of water are all at risk, though children are considered particularly vulnerable.

Swimming boosts the risk of contracting swimmer's ear by fivefold

The term swimmer's ear is a bit of a misnomer since other factors including scratches to your ear from Q tips, trapped perspiration inside the ear when you sweat, and living in tropical climates can elevate the risk of contracting this outer ear infection. But swimming poses the greatest risk: widely cited research has found that swimming elevates the risk of contracting this infection fivefold.

Ear infections can arise from chlorinated water, too

Any water remaining in the ear can lead to swimmer's ear. Chlorinated water, however, can also strip the skin of the oils and wax that would otherwise protect the ear.

Children are at increased risk of contracting swimmer's ear

Kids may be more likely to spend time at the pool so they have that water exposure. They also tend to have narrow ear canals, a prime location for water to get trapped. Frequently wearing earbuds or excessively trying to rid ears of earwax, however, can also increase the chances of painful swimmer's ear infections at any age.

Watch how to safely remove water from your ears

Do not stick a Q-tip into the ear canal—it can cause microtears of the delicate skin there and elevate infection risks. Instead, try tapping on the side of your tilted head after swimming to break the surface tension so water will drip out, or pulling your earlobe in different directions while the ear is pointed downwards. Another suggested approach is to place a few droplets of isopropyl alcohol or over-the-counter eardrops inside the ear to speed evaporation. If those approaches don't work, consider contacting your physician.

Exactly who coined the term 'swimmer's ear' remains unknown

There is no record of anyone being the first person to call otitis externa by its most commonly known name, swimmer's ear. The earliest known use of the term was in a 1917 news article, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The article in Connecticut's The Day stated that the illness was appearing among swimmers and bathers that summer.

Listen to why extensive ear rinsing can create problems

The clinician who hosts this podcast discusses how his patient developed swimmer's ear after he flooded his ears with water during his daily showers, ostensibly to clean them. The resulting itchy, painful ears were the result of removing protective earwax in the ear and also altering the typical pH of the ear.

Surfer's ear, from repeated cold water exposure, leads to new bony protrusions in the ear

Frequent exposure to icy cold water, typical in surfing, can cause tiny bony growths to develop in the ear canal, informally called surfer's ear. While the exact cause for these growths is unknown, it may be the body's protective response to shield the ear drum from the cold. These protrusions can heighten the risk of swimmer's ear, lead to wax buildup, and result in hearing loss.

See why wearing earbuds—instead of over-the-ear headphones—can cause ear infections

Earbud headphones can heighten the risk of ear infections. They can lead to earwax buildup and create a dark, moist environment as you sweat—ideal conditions for germs to thrive. Wearing external over-the-ear headphones or ones that don't enter deep into the ear canal can help.

Q-tips can cause more problems than they solve

Swabbing the ear with a Q-tip can disrupt the ear wax that naturally protects the ear from dirt and bacteria. It can also tear the delicate skin of the ear drum, causing permanent hearing loss and constant discomfort that's similar to the symptoms of swimmer's ear. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

If kids have ear tubes, over-the-counter ear drop solutions to clear buildup shouldn't be used

Mixes of acetic acid or alcohol to help speed water evaporation in the ears shouldn't be placed into children's ears if they have a hole in the eardrum or if they had ear tubes inserted—hollow cylinders made of plastic or metal that are inserted into the eardrum by a doctor to help drain fluid and improve airflow in the middle ear. Alcohol or acids can cause irritation to the middle ear and intense pain as they pass through the hole or tube.

See what loud noises do to inner ear hair cells

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Ménière's disease is a long-term, inner ear disorder that causes vertigo

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Candida auris spreads easily in healthcare facilities and causes high death rates

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Most custom earmolds for in-ear hearing aids are made using 3D printing

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In the womb, a fetus may begin to hear at 18 weeks

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Repeated head injuries can lead to CTE and early dementia

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Stuffy nose congestion occurs because of swelling of the inferior turbinates

These structures in the nose above the nose hairs swell and shrink constantly and are affected by head position. They can fill with blood during illness, causing the feeling of congestion, but also when a person changes position, especially when lying down. Medications can be used to shrink them, providing temporary relief.

Hookworm infection, though risky, may help fight certain autoimmune conditions by tamping down the immune system's inflammatory response.

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Hookworm infection, though risky, may help fight certain health conditions

Early clinical trial research suggests that the parasites trigger the production of specific proteins that quiet our immune systems. This keeps the parasites from being killed, but it also quiets the inflammatory response that underpins allergies, type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, and other autoimmune conditions. Researchers still caution that infection with too many hookworms can cause serious medical complications and that this is not a standardized or approved medical treatment.

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Leprosy doesn't cause fingers or toes to fall off

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