How to diagnose and treat Swimmer's Ear

It is fairly easy to spot the signs and symptoms of swimmers ear. Otitis externa, or swimers ear, is simply an infection of the skin involving the ear canal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thermometer, flashlight

1. Otitis externa, swimmer's ear, is simply an infection of the skin involving the ear canal, not the ear drum nor the middle ear. Swimmer's ear is the result of the ear canal being exposed to an unusual amount of moisture, the ear canal remaining wet for a prolonged period of time, or water actually being trapped in the ear canal.
   To begin, determine whether the child has been in any situation that would have exposed the ear canal abnormally. Remember, once wet, the ear canal skin becomes irritated and loses the ability to prevent infection.

2. Swimmer's ear is very painful since the skin becomes swollen and red due to infection. There are millions of small nerve endings that become compressed from the swollen tissue. Unless the infection is so severe that the ear canal swells completely, redness and swelling should be visible. Drainage that may have seeped out of the canal and dried on the inside of the external ear may also be visible, mainly during mornings. Depending on the severity of these symptoms, medical attention may be needed.

3. The best way to identify swimmer's ear is a simple procedure called tragal manipulation. You cannot cause any harm by doing this. Although, the purpose of the maneuver is to provoke a painful response. Take the ear lobe gently between your thumb and index finger and gently tug the ear forward and backward, while pulling outward slightly at the same time. The idea is to actually pull the ear canal, which is connected to the skin that is moving ever so slightly. The ear lobe will actually only move 1/2-3/4 inch forward and backward. However, this little bit of activating traction will cause significant pain and pulling away by the child. You can tell by pulling on your own ear in this manner that there is no pain when there is no infection.

4. A flashlight can be used to peer into the outer portion of the ear canal. Holding the flashlight 4-6 inches away, look in and inspect for drainage, dried blood, or a swollen ear canal that is reduced in caliber size. That is, instead of the normal 1/4 inch opening to the canal, it's reduced to a small or no visible opening. You can also look in the good ear for a comparison of normal shape and size. If any of these signs are visible, see your medical provider.

5. Take the child's temperature. Fever is unusual with swimmer's ear. If the child has a fever, the swimmer's ear has either gotten severe or there is another ongoing medical problem. See your medical provider.

6. If there is no fever, minimal pain, and the child has only been complaining a day or two, you can give Motrin if there is no history of allergy. Do not let the child submerge their head under water for at least 3 days after symptoms subside. To prevent the infection from returning, make sure the ears are kept dry by using a blow dryer and blowing warm, NOT HOT, air inside the ear for 10 seconds. Go back and forth between the ears 3 times each. Hold the blow dryer at least 12 inches away from the ear, just pointing the flow towards the ear. Do not use drops, oils, vinegar or any other preparations inside the ear. Inner ear skin has a normal environment that the body maintains. Disrupting this will only make things worse.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not put any drops, oils, vinegar, or any other preparations in the ear.
• Fever is unusual with swimmers ear, unless severe. Seek medical attention.

[grandpar]

on 6/8/2008 Very informative.

[lithflex]

on 6/8/2008 This was very helpful. My child didn't complain when I tried step 3 and I used the blow dryer as suggested, and it worked!