Summer in Northeast Portland is the perfect time to get outside. Whether you’re cooling off at Grant Pool, spending the day at Blue Lake Regional Park, kayaking along the Columbia Slough, or enjoying a neighborhood splash pad, water activities are a great way to stay active during the warmer months. Unfortunately, they can also increase your risk of developing swimmer’s ear.
At AFC Urgent Care NE Portland, we frequently diagnose and treat swimmer’s ear during the summer. This common outer ear infection often begins with mild itching or irritation but can quickly become painful if left untreated.
The good news is that swimmer’s ear is highly treatable, especially when it’s diagnosed early. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and prevention tips can help you protect your ears and enjoy everything summer in Northeast Portland has to offer.
Why Swimmer’s Ear Is More Common During Summer
Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It develops when water becomes trapped inside the ear, creating a warm, moist environment where bacteria or fungi can grow.
Summer naturally increases the risk because people spend more time swimming, participating in water sports, and enjoying outdoor activities. Even moisture left behind after a shower or a sweaty afternoon can soften the skin inside the ear canal, making it easier for bacteria to enter and cause an infection.
Children and teenagers are especially likely to develop swimmer’s ear because they spend more time in pools, lakes, and splash pads during summer break. Adults can also develop the condition, particularly if they swim regularly, wear earbuds for long periods, or have sensitive skin inside the ears.
Common Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear often starts with mild symptoms that are easy to dismiss. Without treatment, the infection can become more painful and interfere with your daily routine.
Common symptoms include:
- Itching inside the ear
- Mild ear pain or discomfort
- Redness around the ear canal
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Drainage from the ear
- Tenderness when touching or moving the outer ear
Many people notice the pain becomes worse when chewing or gently pulling on the ear. As swelling increases, hearing may become more difficult and everyday activities can become uncomfortable.
Receiving treatment early can help relieve symptoms before the infection worsens.
What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Despite its name, swimmer’s ear isn’t limited to people who swim. Any situation that allows moisture to remain trapped inside the ear canal can increase your risk of infection.
Common causes include:
- Swimming in pools, lakes, or rivers
- Water trapped in the ears after bathing or showering
- Excessive sweating during hot weather
- Humid summer conditions
- Using cotton swabs inside the ear
- Scratching the ear canal
- Wearing earbuds or hearing aids when moisture is present
Many people are surprised to learn that cleaning their ears too aggressively can actually increase their risk of swimmer’s ear. Cotton swabs often remove the ear’s natural protective wax and can create tiny scratches that allow bacteria to enter.
Earwax plays an important role in protecting the ear canal, so avoiding unnecessary cleaning can help reduce your risk of infection.
When Ear Pain May Be a Sign of an Infection
Not every earache is caused by swimmer’s ear, but certain symptoms should never be ignored.
Signs that may indicate an infection include:
- Ear pain that continues to worsen
- Swelling inside or around the ear canal
- Yellow, white, or cloudy drainage
- Muffled hearing or hearing loss
- Redness spreading around the ear
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes near the ear or neck
As the infection progresses, swelling may partially block the ear canal, making symptoms even more uncomfortable.
If these symptoms develop after swimming or water exposure, seeking medical care early can help prevent the infection from becoming more severe.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Although anyone can develop swimmer’s ear, some people have a greater chance of experiencing it.
Those at higher risk include:
- Frequent swimmers
- Children and teenagers
- People who regularly wear hearing aids or earbuds
- Individuals with eczema or other skin conditions affecting the ears
- People who frequently use cotton swabs
- Those with naturally narrow ear canals
Summer camps, family vacations, swim lessons, and weekends at local pools or lakes often involve repeated water exposure, creating ideal conditions for swimmer’s ear to develop.
Fortunately, prompt treatment is usually very effective.
Prompt Treatment Can Help You Feel Better Faster
Once swimmer’s ear develops, it usually requires medical treatment to eliminate the infection. Without treatment, symptoms may continue to worsen.
At AFC Urgent Care NE Portland, our experienced medical providers can:
- Examine your ear canal
- Determine whether an infection is present
- Remove debris if needed
- Prescribe medicated ear drops when appropriate
- Recommend ways to relieve pain and discomfort
- Monitor for signs of complications
Many patients begin feeling better within a few days after starting treatment. Seeking care early can shorten recovery time and help prevent the infection from spreading.
Tips to Help Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
A few simple habits can significantly lower your risk of developing swimmer’s ear this summer.
Helpful prevention tips include:
- Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering.
- Tilt your head to each side to help water drain.
- Gently dry the outside of your ears with a clean towel.
- Avoid inserting cotton swabs or other objects into your ears.
- Wear earplugs if your healthcare provider recommends them.
- Take breaks from prolonged water activities.
- Let your ears clean themselves naturally instead of over-cleaning them.
For many people, drying their ears immediately after swimming is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent swimmer’s ear.
When Should You Visit Urgent Care?
Mild ear discomfort may improve on its own, but persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Visit AFC Urgent Care NE Portland if you experience:
- Moderate or severe ear pain
- Drainage from the ear
- Hearing loss or persistent muffled hearing
- Ongoing itching inside the ear
- Swelling of the ear canal
- Fever
- Symptoms that continue to worsen
Prompt medical evaluation is especially important for children who develop ear pain after swimming or for anyone with recurring ear infections.
Get Swimmer’s Ear Treatment at AFC Urgent Care NE Portland
Ear pain can quickly interrupt your summer plans, but prompt treatment can help you get back to feeling your best.
Our medical team can evaluate your symptoms, diagnose swimmer’s ear and other ear infections, and recommend the treatment that’s right for you. With convenient same-day appointments available seven days a week, getting quality care is simple when you need it most.