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Swimmer's ear - Overview

Alternative Names

Ear infection - outer ear - acute; Otitis externa - acute

Definition of Swimmer's ear :

Swimmer's ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The medical term for swimmer's ear is otitis externa.

This article discusses acute swimmer's ear. See also: Swimmer's ear - chronic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Swimmer's ear is fairly common, especially among teenagers and young adults.

Causes of swimmer's ear include:

Swimming in polluted water
Scratching the ear or inside the ear
Object stuck in the ear

Trying to clean wax from the ear canal, especially with cotton swabs or small objects, can irritate or damage the skin.

Swimmer's ear is occasionally associated with middle ear infection (otitis media) or upper respiratory infections such as colds. Moisture in the ear makes the ear more prone to infection from water-loving bacteria such as pseudomonas. Other bacteria, and rarely, fungi, can also cause infection.

Ear anatomy

Medical findings based on ear anatomy

Swimmer's ear

Reviewed last on: 11/10/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Pier GB. Pseudomonas and related gram-negative bacillary infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 328.

Haddad J. External otitis (otitis externa). In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 638.

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