Swimming ear is also known as acute external ear inflammation. It refers to inflammation of ear between eardrum and outer ear. You can wet your ears when washing hair or swim. If dirty water accumulates in the external auditory canal, bacteria may grow and cause inflammation. Early symptoms are slight itching or swelling. If things do not get worse, it may heal itself. If inflammation continues, you will feel warmth, swelling and pain in the affected ear. You may even have pus. You may have fever and feel the nearby lymph nodes are enlarged. Ear drops are the top choice of medication. Oral medications are necessary when infection is very severe.
How is Swimmer's ear treated in practice?