Swimmer's Ear

• Swimmer's Ear Overview
• Swimmer's Ear Causes
• Swimmer's Ear Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Swimmer's Ear Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Swimmer's Ear Overview

Swimmer's ear (also called otitis externa) is a painful condition of the visible or outer portion of your ear and ear canal. Men and women of all ages are affected equally, but children and teenagers most frequently develop this type of ear infection. Most of the time, swimmer's ear is easy to recognize and easy to cure with home care and, if necessary, a visit to the doctor.

• Because the condition occurs most often during the summer with exposure of the ear to water while swimming, many people call it swimmer's ear. Water from a bath or shower can trigger the condition, too.

• People with diabetes or those whose immune systems are weakened can develop a more worrisome form of the disorder that might require hospitalization for intensive medical treatment.