Swimmer's Ear and Outer Ear Infections: How to Spot and Treat Them
Quick answer
Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the ear canal, often after water gets trapped or the skin is scratched. The usual pattern is itch first, then pain – especially when you tug your ear – sometimes with discharge and reduced hearing. Most cases settle with prescription ear drops, and keeping the ear dry is key. See a GP if the pain is severe or spreading.
What swimmer’s ear actually is
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the ear canal – the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum. Despite the name, you don’t have to be a swimmer to get it. Anything that leaves the canal damp or breaks the skin can let germs take hold, including humid weather, cotton buds, hearing aids or earphones.
Trapped moisture washes away the protective layer of wax and softens the skin, creating the perfect conditions for bacteria – or sometimes a fungus – to grow.
How to recognise it
Outer ear infections tend to come on over a day or two. Watch for:
- Itch in the ear canal, often the first sign
- Pain that gets worse when you pull your earlobe or press the little flap in front of the ear
- A feeling of fullness or reduced hearing as the canal swells
- Watery or pus-like discharge
- With a fungal infection, intense itch and sometimes damp, blotchy debris in the canal
How it’s treated
Most outer ear infections clear up with prescription ear drops that tackle the infection and calm the swelling. It’s important the drops actually reach the skin, so if the canal is full of debris, a clinician may gently clean it first using microsuction – this can make the drops far more effective and ease the pain quickly.
Keep the ear dry while it heals: no swimming, and pop a little cotton wool coated in Vaseline in the ear when you shower. Simple painkillers help with discomfort in the meantime.
How to stop it coming back
A few habits make a real difference, especially if you swim often:
- Treat any itch or flaky skin early before it turns into infection
- Tip your head and gently dry your ears after swimming or showering
- Don’t use cotton buds – they strip protective wax and scratch the skin
- Consider well-fitted swimming earplugs if you’re prone to it
When to get it checked
See a GP/ENT promptly if the pain is severe, if it’s spreading to the outer ear or face, if you have a high temperature, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system – infections can occasionally become more serious and need closer attention.
Common questions
What’s the difference between a bacterial and fungal ear infection?
Both cause itch and discomfort, but fungal infections tend to itch more intensely and leave damp debris in the canal. They often need a specific antifungal drop, so getting the right diagnosis matters.
How long does swimmer’s ear take to clear?
With the right drops, most people feel much better within a few days and fully recover in a week or so.
Can I swim with an outer ear infection?
Best not to until it’s healed – more water will slow recovery and can make it worse.
Why do my ears itch all the time?
Persistent itch can come from dry skin, eczema, a low-grade infection or overcleaning. If it keeps returning, have your ears examined rather than scratching at them.
Book with ClearEar
If your ears feel blocked, itchy or muffled, you don’t have to put up with it. At ClearEar our clinicians remove wax gently using microsuction – no water, no syringing, and you can usually hear the difference straight away.
Microsuction wax removal – Nasal endoscopy – Hearing assessments
Book online at clearear.ie or call 01 919 8706. Clinics at Dublin 1 and Lucan.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, please see your GP or an ENT professional.
