Summer days in Beaverton are full of pool parties, lake trips to Progress Park, visits to North Clackamas Aquatic Park, and plenty of time spent cooling off in the water. While swimming is one of the best ways to stay active and beat the heat, it can sometimes lead to an uncomfortable condition known as swimmer’s ear.
At AFC Urgent Care Beaverton, swimmer’s ear is a common summertime infection we treat for both children and adults. The condition can start with mild itching or irritation but may quickly become painful if left untreated.
The good news is that swimmer’s ear is highly treatable, especially when caught early. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and prevention tips can help you stay healthy and enjoy every minute of your summer.
Why Swimmer’s Ear Is More Common During Summer
Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It develops when moisture becomes trapped inside the ear, creating an environment where bacteria or fungi can grow.
Summer activities often increase the risk because people spend more time swimming, participating in water sports, or sweating outdoors. Water that remains in the ear canal after swimming can soften the skin inside the ear, making it easier for bacteria to enter and cause an infection.
Children and teenagers tend to experience swimmer’s ear more often because they typically spend more time in pools, lakes, and splash pads during the summer months. However, adults can develop the condition as well, especially if they swim frequently or have a history of ear irritation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimmer’s ear is one of the most common ear infections associated with water exposure and affects thousands of people each year.
Common Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear often begins with mild symptoms that may seem easy to ignore. However, symptoms can become more noticeable as the infection progresses.
Common symptoms include:
- Itching inside the ear
- Mild discomfort or ear pain
- Redness around the ear canal
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Drainage from the ear
- Tenderness when touching the outer ear
Many people notice that the pain becomes worse when they pull on the ear or chew food. As the infection advances, swelling inside the ear canal may increase and make hearing more difficult.
Early treatment can help relieve symptoms before they become more severe.
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Despite its name, swimmer’s ear is not limited to swimmers. Any situation that allows moisture to remain in the ear canal can increase the risk of infection.
Common causes include:
- Swimming in pools, lakes, or rivers
- Water trapped in the ears after bathing or showering
- Excessive sweating
- Humid weather conditions
- Using cotton swabs inside the ear
- Scratching the ear canal
- Wearing earbuds for long periods when moisture is present
Many people are surprised to learn that cleaning the ears too aggressively can actually increase the risk of swimmer’s ear. Cotton swabs can remove protective earwax and create tiny scratches that allow bacteria to enter the skin.
The ear naturally produces wax that helps protect against infection. When this protective barrier is disrupted, infections can develop more easily.
When Ear Pain May Signal an Infection
Not every earache is caused by swimmer’s ear, but certain symptoms should not be ignored.
Signs that may indicate an infection include:
- Increasing ear pain
- Swelling of the ear canal
- Drainage that appears yellow, white, or cloudy
- Worsening hearing difficulties
- Redness spreading around the ear
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
As the infection progresses, the ear canal may become swollen enough to partially close, making symptoms significantly more uncomfortable.
The Mayo Clinic notes that untreated swimmer’s ear can sometimes lead to more serious infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
Visit AFC Beaverton if you are experiencing these symptoms or if ear pain is interfering with your daily activities.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone can develop swimmer’s ear, but certain factors increase the likelihood of infection.
People at higher risk include:
- Frequent swimmers
- Children and teens
- Individuals who use hearing aids or earbuds regularly
- People with eczema or skin conditions affecting the ears
- Those who frequently use cotton swabs
- Individuals with narrow ear canals
Summer camps, swim teams, and family vacations often create the perfect conditions for swimmer’s ear because of repeated water exposure over several days.
Fortunately, early treatment can usually resolve symptoms quickly and prevent complications.
Quick Treatment Can Help You Feel Better Faster
Swimmer’s ear typically does not improve on its own once an infection develops. Medical treatment is often needed to eliminate the infection and relieve symptoms.
At AFC Beaverton, providers can:
- Examine the ear canal
- Confirm whether an infection is present
- Remove debris if necessary
- Prescribe medicated ear drops
- Provide pain relief recommendations
- Monitor for complications
Most patients begin feeling better within a few days of starting treatment. Seeking care early can help shorten recovery time and reduce discomfort.
Prompt treatment can also help prevent the infection from spreading deeper into surrounding tissues.
Tips to Help Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
While swimmer’s ear is common during the summer, a few simple habits can help lower your risk.
Helpful prevention tips include:
- Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming
- Tilt your head to help water drain out
- Use a clean towel after water activities
- Avoid inserting cotton swabs into your ears
- Wear earplugs if recommended by your healthcare provider
- Take breaks from prolonged water exposure
- Keep ears clean without over-cleaning them
Many swimmers find that drying their ears immediately after swimming can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing symptoms.
Small preventive measures can help keep your ears healthy throughout the summer season.
When Should You Visit Urgent Care?
Some mild ear discomfort may improve on its own, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Visit urgent care if you experience:
- Moderate to severe ear pain
- Drainage from the ear
- Hearing loss or muffled hearing
- Persistent itching
- Ear swelling
- Fever
- Symptoms that continue worsening
Medical evaluation is especially important for children who complain of ear pain after swimming or individuals who have recurring ear infections.
Getting treatment early can help prevent complications and get you back to enjoying your summer activities faster.
Get Fast Relief for Swimmer’s Ear at AFC Beaverton
At AFC Urgent Care Beaverton, we provide walk-in treatment for swimmer’s ear, ear infections, ear pain, and other common ailments.
Our experienced providers can evaluate your symptoms, determine the cause of your discomfort, and recommend the most effective treatment plan to help you recover quickly.
