 |
Home 
body parts
ears
Swimmers Ear |
Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)
Having problems with hearing is not an easy thing.
Fortunately, there are now many ways to cope with it such as the use of a hearing aid. First and foremost though, the disorder itself must be understood. Swimmer’s ear is one of these hearing disorders. Swimmer’s ear is also called otitis externa in a more medical term.
So what is it all about?
When the ear is subjected to excess moisture, tendency is the water will be trapped and would stay in the ear canal. The skin there will then become soggy and the acidity the ear has naturally for preventing infections will be diluted. If the ear lining suffers from a cat, bacteria has tendency to penetrate the skin. These bacteria and fungi can then grow inside your ear resulting to the condition – swimmer’s ear (external otitis, acute otitis externa).
Swimmers ear is basically an ear canal and outer ear infection, or can also be a middle ear infection.
The point there though is that hearing loss is most likely to occur. There are many symptoms to be noticed when a person is having this type of ear infection.
When you move your outer ear or push the little “bump” found in front of the ear, you will experience severe pain. In most cases of ear problems, one ear is affected but there would be lots of discomfort and pain around and in it.
The outer ear would also itch. The lymph nodes found in your neck and your ear could undergo swelling. You can also feel ear stuffiness. There may be pus coming out from your ear.
And yes, there would be loss of hearing. The outer ear can also appear flaky and red.
There are many causes as to why otitis externa occurs. One is the persisting of moisture from a humid environment, bathing or swimming. Another is the exposure to infectious organism, most likely from swimming in contaminated water.
Another cause for swimmer’s ear is skin breakage from the ear being scratched or rubbed with foreign object. Hair dyes and sprays can also foster the growth of bacteria in your ears.
Young adults and children are the ones usually affected by this ear infection. If hearing loss occurs, one way to cope with it is through hearing aids. There are many hearing aid types out there and availing of one can really be of great help. So get one. |
|
| |
