Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to cure the infection. Medicines may include:

• Ear drops containing antibiotics
• Corticosteroids to reduce itching and inflammation

The ear canal should be cleaned of drainage. This allows the medicines work better.

Four or five ear drops should be used at a time, so that the medicine can get into the end of the ear canal. If the ear canal is very swollen, a wick may be applied in the ear to allow the drops to travel to the end of the canal.

Analgesics may be used if pain is severe. Placing something warm against the ears may reduce pain.

Expectations (prognosis):

Swimmer's ear responds well to treatment, but complications may occur if it is not treated. Some individuals with underlying medical problems, such as diabetes, may be more likely to get complications such as malignant otitis externa.

Complications:

• Chronic otitis externa
• Malignant otitis externa
• Spread of infection to other areas of the body

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your doctor if you develop any symptoms of swimmer's ear. Call your doctor if the symptoms worsen or persist despite treatment, or if new symptoms appear, including pain and redness of the skull behind the ear or persistent fever.