Otitis Externa: I've been having problems with one of my ears. It's regularly painful and tender inside and at times even the outside looks red and swollen. What could be wrong with it?
The outer ear canal is approximately 3cm long and is a tunnel that runs from the external part of the ear to the eardrum. It is lined with skin containing small hairs and wax- producing glands.
An infection of this lining causes swelling and redness and the medical name for the condition is otitis externa.
Symptoms include tenderness, pain and itchiness. Although these are usually confined to the ear canal, as you have experienced, the external part of the ear and the surrounding skin can also be affected. In others, discharge from the ear or a reduction in the quality of hearing on that side may be noticed.
I've recently taken up swimming. Could this have caused it?
Yes, otitis externa is caused by water getting trapped within the ear canal. Also known as "swimmer's ear", it is a common condition among those who swim regularly. Trapped water can cause the lining of the ear to become soggy and prone to infection.
Swimmers who use chlorinated pools tend to experience the condition more so than those who swim in salt sea water.
However, the condition is not confined to those who swim but can occur for a number of other reasons.
These include having a narrow or long ear canal or suffering from a skin condition such as dermatitis or eczema.
What can I do to clear it?
Since you seem to have the problem on an ongoing basis you should see your doctor for treatment.
He/she will examine your ear and may clean it out using suction or a very narrow probe. You will then need to put an anti-bacterial or anti-fungal cream into the ear canal for a number of days until the infection has cleared.
Once the acute problem has resolved, there are a number of steps you can take to help prevent further outbreaks. When swimming or showering avoid getting water in the ears.
Wear moulded ear plugs and a swimming cap while swimming and ear plugs when washing your hair. If you use cotton wool plugs, cover them in petroleum jelly before insertion as this will help waterproof them.
The ears are self-cleaning so do not be tempted to poke around in there with cotton buds or other unsuitable implements.
By doing so you run the risk of damaging the lining of the canal and reintroducing infection.