Community Health Network

Ear - Swimmer's
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Symptom
Description

Should I
Call?

Care at
Home

Does this describe your child's symptoms?

Definition

An infection or irritation of the skin that lines the ear canal
Currently engaged in swimming

Symptoms

Itchy and somewhat painful ear canal
Discomfort when the ear is moved up and down
The ear feels plugged
Discharge is slight in amount and clear

Causes

When water repeatedly gets trapped in the ear canal, the lining becomes wet and swollen. This makes it prone to superficial infection (swimmer's ear). Ear canals were meant to be dry.

Return to School

Swimmer's ear is not contagious.Â No need to miss any school or daycare.

If not, see these topics

Doesn't look like swimmer's ear, see EARACHE or EAR CONGESTION

Should I
Call?

Care at
Home

When to Call Your Doctor

	Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
	Your child looks or acts very sick Severe pain Fever over 104Â° F (40Â° C) and not improved 2 hours after fever medicine Redness and swelling of outer ear
	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	You think your child needs to be seen Constant ear pain Yellow discharge from ear canal Fever Blocked ear canal Swollen lymph node near ear Cause is uncertain (no swimming) Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	You have other questions or concerns
	Parent Care at Home If
	Swimmer's ear with no complications

Symptom
Description

Care at
Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD SWIMMER'S EAR

White Vinegar Rinses:
- Rinse the ear canals twice a day with Â½ strength white vinegar (dilute it with equal parts warm water).
- Start by having your child lie down with the affected ear upward.
- Fill the ear canal.
- Wait 5 minutes, then remove the vinegar rinse by turning the head to the side and moving the ear. (Exception: ear tubes or hole in eardrum.)
- Reason: restores the normal acid pH of the ear canal and reduces swelling.
- Continue until the ear canal returns to normal.
Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
Local Heat: If pain is moderate to severe, apply a heating pad (set on low) or hot water bottle to outer ear for 20 minutes (caution: avoid burns). This will also increase drainage.
Reduce Swimming Times: Try to avoid swimming until symptoms are gone. If on a swim team, it's usually OK to continue. Swimming may slow recovery, but causes no serious harm.
Contagiousness: Swimmer's ear is not contagious.
Expected Course: With treatment, symptoms should be improved in 3 days and resolved in 7 days.
Prevention of Recurrences:
- Try to keep the ear canals dry.
- After showers, hair washing, and swimming, help the water run out by turning the head.
- Avoid cotton swabs. (Reason: Packs in the earwax. The wax buildup then traps water behind it).
- If swimmer's ear is a repeated problem, rinse the ear canals after swimming with a white vinegar-rubbing alcohol solution (equal parts of each).
Call Your Doctor If:
- Ear symptoms last over 7 days on treatment
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Symptom
Description

Should I
Call?

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009

Last Revised: 6/12/2008

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online