Otitis Externa: What It Is, How It Feels, and How to Fix It

Ever gotten water stuck in your ear after a swim and then felt a sharp ache? That’s the classic start of otitis externa, also called swimmer’s ear. It’s an infection of the ear canal that can turn a simple splash into a painful day.

The ear canal is a thin tube that runs from the outer ear to the eardrum. When moisture, soap, or even cotton swabs irritate the skin there, germs can move in and cause an infection. The result is redness, swelling, and a lot of discomfort.

Typical Symptoms You’ll Notice

If you have otitis externa, you’ll usually feel one or more of these signs:

• Pain that gets worse when you pull on the earlobe or chew.
• Itching inside the ear.
• Redness or swelling of the ear canal.
• A watery or thick discharge that may smell.
• Feeling of fullness or reduced hearing.

Most of the time the pain starts mild and then ramps up over a day or two. If the pain suddenly spikes, it could mean the infection is spreading, and you should see a doctor.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Anything that keeps the ear canal damp creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria or fungi. Swimmers, surfers, and divers are the usual suspects because water stays trapped longer. Other everyday triggers include:

• Using earbuds or hearing aids without cleaning them.
• Scratching the ear with cotton swabs.
• Having eczema or psoriasis around the ear.
• Recent ear cleaning that removes natural earwax.

When these factors combine with a cut or tiny abrasion in the canal, germs slide right in.

How Doctors Treat Otitis Externa

Most cases clear up with a short course of ear drops. The drops contain antibiotics to kill bacteria, steroids to calm inflammation, or a mix of both. Your doctor will pick the right formula based on whether the infection is bacterial or fungal.

In severe cases, a doctor might prescribe oral antibiotics or antifungal pills. They’ll also clean out any debris in the ear to let the medication work better. Never try to clean the canal yourself with a cotton swab; that can push the infection deeper.

Home Care Tips You Can Use Right Away

While you’re waiting for a prescription, a few simple steps can ease the pain:

• Keep the ear dry. Use a soft towel to dab the outer ear after showering. A hair dryer on cool setting held a few inches away can help dry the canal.
• Avoid inserting anything into the ear—no Q-tips, no earbuds, no hearing‑aid molds until the infection clears.
• Apply a warm compress for 10‑15 minutes a few times a day to soothe the ache.
• Take over‑the‑counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.

If the pain is very strong, a doctor might give a short burst of oral steroids to bring down swelling quickly.

Preventing Future Episodes

The best defense is keeping the ear canal dry and clean. After swimming, tilt your head to each side and gently pull the earlobe to let water escape. You can also use a few drops of diluted white vinegar and alcohol (half‑and‑half) to dry the ear; just don’t do this if the skin is broken or you have ear surgery.

Regularly clean earbuds and hearing aids according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have skin conditions like eczema, keep the area moisturized but avoid heavy creams inside the ear.

Lastly, if you notice early itching or mild discomfort, treat it fast with over‑the‑counter ear drops designed for swimmer’s ear. Acting early often stops a full‑blown infection.

Otitis externa can be a nuisance, but with the right knowledge you can spot it early, treat it effectively, and keep it from coming back. If symptoms linger more than a few days or get worse, reach out to a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and care.