Swimmer’s ear or the otitis externa is the infection or the inflammation of a person’s external ear and their ear canal. Swimmer’s ear is normally caused by excess exposure to any water. When a person’s ear gets drenched wet in water, then the moisture penetrates to the water-resistant layer and also to the skin.


Thus the skin becomes soft and also wrinkled when it remains in water for such a long period of time. Bacteria and fungi too are able to survive and exist on the surface of the water exposed skin although without any real harmful effects. But supposing there is a break that occurs in the skin's usual barrier, then these bacteria that come from the contaminated water or the objects placed in one’s ear can quiet easily slip inside their skin, leading to swimmer’s ear.


Some of the main symptoms of this condition include an itchy or a painful ear, any sensitivity to some ear movement, certain amount of decreased hearing, the earwax that comes out appears to be white and soft, there may be an occasional discharge from the ear which is milky or yellowish and there may be a sudden, sharp shooting pain in the ear. Some other signs include some noises that one feels inside the ear, like a humming or a buzzing sound, also some swelling in the person’s ear , there may even be a feeling of stuffiness or a feeling heaviness coming from the ear and the outer skin of the ear may appear to be sore.

The reasons why this occurs are numerous. Normally children, adolescents and adults are at a higher risk than the toddlers. Children who suffer from eczema and also from seborrhea are at a higher risk. The causes largely include coming in contact with water that is contaminated which then facilitates fungi and bacteria in the ear canal. While cleaning the ears if the person has sharp fingernails or the other objects that are inserted are sharp can cause a tear to occur in the delicate layer of tissue that surrounds the ear canal and thus cause an infection. It can be treated with white vinegar dropped into the ears or try applying apple cider vinegar after showering or even swimming. Try putting in some baby oil that is lightly heated or using a hair dryer to dry up the water in the ear canal. The warm to hot air will help to dry up any moisture in the ear passage.