"Swimmer's ear is one of the most common ear problems doctors see during the summer months," said Sandra Wosniak, M.D. chief of emergency services for Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals.

Medically known as external otitis, swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear canal that occurs mainly during humid, hot weather. It often is initiated by trauma, such as a scratch in the ear canal. Swimming also causes it, as prolonged exposure to water softens the ear canal's skin and allows bacteria to penetrate the skin, causing infection.

According to Wosniak, early symptoms of swimmer's ear include pain in and around the ear, often aggravated by movements of the jaw. In later stages, the infection may cause the ear canal to swell shut, resulting in hearing loss. There may also be discharge from the ear and pain can become excruciating.

Treatment for swimmer's ear usually includes antibiotic eardrops. In some cases, a wick is inserted in the ear canal to assist in the delivery of antibiotic drops. "Fortunately," said Wozniak, "the majority of cases of swimmer's ear are preventable."

She offers the following tips for protecting the ear and preventing ear infections:

Do not use pens, cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears or to remove wax from the ear canal. A healthy ear is usually self-cleaning.

Use a hair dryer on a low, warm setting to blow warm air into the ear to speed up the water's rate of evaporation.

From TownsOnline.com