First aid: Swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s ear (also called otitis externa) is an painful infection that happens when water gets trapped in the ear canal and it swells and becomes infected with bacteria or fungus. It frequently occurs in children and teenagers but both boys and girls are equally affected.

How do you know if your child has a swimmer’s ear? The most common symptom is severe pain, which becomes worse when the child tugs on the ear. Other symptoms include:

• Swelling in your ear or lymph nodes in the neck.
• Feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the ear.
• Pus draining out of the ear.
• Decreased or muffled hearing.

Swimmer’s ear is easy to treat but could have complications or pain that may require a visit to the doctor. Mild cases can be treated with a solution of half strength white vinegar ear drops (half water/half white vinegar) twice a day. 

Other home remedies for mild cases of swimmer’s ear include:

• Heat therapy. Place a warm (not hot) heating pad over or against your ear to help reduce pain.
• Pain relievers. Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to ease your discomfort.
• Ear protection. Keep your ear dry while it’s healing. Use earplugs when showering or bathing. Don’t swim or clean your ears until the infection is gone.

Don’t let your child swim if he has swimmer’s ear. In fact, that’s also the key to prevention – keep water out of your child’s ears.

source: Mayo Clinic