Definition

• An infection or irritation of the skin that lines the ear canal.
• Frequently caused by lots of swimming or using cotton swabs.
• The medical name is otitis externa. 

Health Information

Symptoms

• Itchy ear canal.
• Ear pain. Pain gets worse when the ear is moved or pressed on.
• The ear feels plugged or full.
• Ear discharge.

Causes

• When water gets trapped in the ear canal, the lining becomes wet and swollen, making it prone to an infection.
• Wax buildup also traps water in the ear canal. Most often, this is caused by the use of cotton swabs.

Care Advice

• White Vinegar Rinses: Not to be used if your child has ear tubes or a hole in their eardrum.
  • Mix vinegar with equal parts warm water.
  • Start by having your child lie down with the painful ear upward.
  • Fill the ear canal with the mixture.
  • Wait 5 minutes. Then, turn your child’s head to the side and move the ear. This will remove the vinegar rinse.
  • Repeat for the other side.
  • Continue twice a day until the ear canal returns to normal. 
• Prescription Ear Drops:
  • Severe swimmer’s ear needs prescription ear drops to clear it up.
  • These ear drops contain an antibiotic and sometimes also contain a steroid.
  • If your child is prescribed an ear drop, please stop vinegar ear rinses.
  • Give the prescribed ear drops as directed. 
• Pain Medicine:
  • To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as motrin or advil). Use as needed. See Ibuprofen dosage table and Tylenol dosage table.
• Heat Pack:
  • A heating pad (set on low) or a warm wet cloth can be applied to the outer ear for 20 minutes to help with discomfort.
  • This might cause increased drainage.
• Reduce Swimming Times:
  • Try not to swim until symptoms are gone.
  • Swimming may slow your child’s recovery but causes no serious harm.
• Return to School:
  • Swimmer’s ear cannot be spread to others. It is not contagious.
  • No need to miss any school or childcare.
• What to Expect:
  • With treatment, symptoms should be improving in 3 days and gone in 7 days. 

Prevention of Recurrent Swimmer’s Ear

• Try to keep the ear canals dry.
• After showers, hair washing, or swimming, help the water run out of ears. Do this by turning and shaking the head.
• Do not use cotton swabs. Cotton swabs pack in the earwax. This leads to water becoming trapped by the wax.
• If swimmer’s ear is a frequent problem, rinse the ear canals after swimming. You can use the white vinegar rinses described above. This is especially important after swimming in lake water.
• Some healthcare providers recommend using ear plugs while swimming.

Call Your Doctor If

• Ear pain becomes severe or is worsening.
• Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment or are not improving after 2-3 days of treatment.
• Your child develops fever.
• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Your child becomes worse.

This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts

Reviewed by:   AR D.O., TT D.O  | 07/2023