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Swimmer's ear - chronic - Overview

Alternative Names

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

Definition of Swimmer's ear - chronic:

Swimmer's ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. Chronic swimmer's ear occurs when the condition does not go away or comes back multiple times.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is fairly common.

Swimming in polluted water is one way to get swimmer's ear. Moisture makes the ear more prone to infection from water-loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas. Other bacteria, or fungi (in rare cases) can also cause infection.

Other causes include:

Disease of the bone (malignant otitis externa)
Having an object stuck in the ear
Inadequate treatment
Scratching the ear

Ear anatomy

Medical findings based on ear anatomy

Reviewed last on: 10/15/2008
Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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