Ear infections can arise from chlorinated water, too

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This infection is typically treated with ear drops to reduce inflammation and fight the bacteria or fungus that led to the issue. But without treatment, complications can arise, including a deep tissue infection, bone or cartilage damage, or—very rarely—spreading beyond the ear into the skull bones and surrounding areas.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

We can get food poisoning from spending time in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and ponds

Some of the same pathogens that may sicken us in food or water may also sicken us in recreational swimming environments. Bacteria can rub off of people’s (or animal’s) bodies or contaminate the water through a diarrheal episode. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds before eating food if you are at the beach, pool, or other similar environments and being sure not to swallow the water are ways to help keep safe.

Learn how your earwax may be determined by genetics—and geography

Researchers have discovered that wet and dry earwax are associated with specific gene variations. Wet earwax is particularly associated with warmer areas of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, suggesting that dry earwax may have been evolutionarily advantageous in cooler climates.

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A well-maintained air conditioner can typically keep out unwanted pathogens, but units that are dusty or water-logged can foster germs and cause harm. AC units also remove moisture from the air, potentially causing mucus membranes to dry out and become vulnerable to infection.

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The innate coloration comes from water absorbing red light in the visible spectrum more than green or blue, giving shallow waters in some parts of the Caribbean their turquoise hue. If sand is light, it can be churned up by turbulent water, clouding its appearance. Plankton and other organisms can color water by affecting how the rest of the spectrum is absorbed or reflected.

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Zoo animals have developed allergies, too

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