Swimmer’s Ear on Holiday in Turkey: Symptoms and Treatment
Itchy, painful ear after swimming? Here is how swimmer’s ear starts, what to do and when you need ear drops from a doctor.
Swimmer’s ear, medically called otitis externa, is an infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal, the tube between the ear opening and the eardrum. Water that stays in the ear after swimming makes the skin soft and lets bacteria or fungus grow, so it is very common on beach and pool holidays.
Symptoms
It often begins with itching inside the ear, then pain that gets worse when you touch or pull the outer ear or chew. The ear may feel blocked, hearing may be muffled and there can be clear or yellowish discharge. A fever is unusual.
What to Do Straight Away
Keep the ear dry, avoid swimming for a few days, and do not push cotton buds or fingers into the ear. Simple pain relief used as directed on the pack helps. A pharmacist can advise, but most cases need prescription ear drops, so a doctor’s advice is better than waiting.
Treatment
A doctor usually prescribes ear drops that contain an antibiotic, sometimes with a steroid, or an antifungal if a fungus is suspected. The ear sometimes needs gentle cleaning by an ENT doctor first. Do not use drops if you think the eardrum may be perforated without checking with a doctor.
When to Be Seen Quickly
See a doctor the same day for severe pain, swelling of the outer ear or face, fever, spreading redness, discharge with sudden hearing loss, diabetes or a weak immune system. A video visit is a good first step and the e-prescription can be collected at a local pharmacy.
References
- NHS. Ear infections
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