One of the most common office visits doctors will see during the summer months are complaints of ear pain and discomfort. More often than not, the discomfort is an indication of Swimmer’s Ear. Swimmer’s Ear is caused by a bacterium that builds up due to excessive moisture within the outer ear canal. It is most common during the summer months because we are showering more often, as well as hot temperatures outdoors are causing us to sweat more, allowing moisture to remain in our ears and aids bacterial growth. The main cause of this type of ear infection and origin of its name would be swimming.
Swimming in waters with high bacteria levels leaves you at high risk to develop swimmer’s ear. Pools, lakes, ponds and the ocean sometimes have high bacteria levels and if that type of water gets stuck in your ear and is not released properly, you can develop an infection within your ear canal.
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear include:
- Temporary muffled-like hearing caused by water build up inside your ear
- Tenderness in and around the ear
- Itchiness inside the ear
- Redness inside the ear
- Watery discharge from ear
- An odor coming from the ear
- Uncomfortable pain
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen and cause more severe issues. Here at AFC Bridgeport, we treat symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear and are available to you 7 days a week with no appointments necessary! Visit us today or call us with any questions at 203-333-4400!
