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The condition called otitis externa (more commonly referred to as swimmer's ear), is something that effects both the ear canal and the outer skin of the ear. Swimmer's ear is unlike otitis media, or an inner ear infection which often manifests at the same time as other symptoms such as a runny nose or congestion. After bathing or swimming, individuals are at risk of contracting swimmer's ear if water remains trapped inside the ear canal. The water may aggravate the skin of the ear canal which makes the area susceptible to fungus or bacteria and a resultant infection. You needn't worry about catching a swimmer's ear infection from someone else, as they are not contagious, but they do resemble an infection that you may see at the site of a bite or cut. To protect yourself from otitis externa, you can concoct your own generic elixir with vinegar and alcohol, or you can purchase the same thing at your local pharmacy. When using ear drops for prevention, they should be placed into the ear right after swimming or bathing (allow a few minutes to pass for the best effect), and then drain with a tissue. The rubbing alcohol serves to evaporate any water which remains in the ear and the vinegar will neutralize the growth of fungus or bacteria. The above procedure is not meant to treat an infection, but as a preventative to keep your child from being infected. Another methods of avoiding swimmer's ear is to make sure your ears are completely dried if water has entered. Also, do not swim in water that is dirty, and do not insert anything into your ears. In order to determine whether you may be suffering from swimmer's ear, look for symptoms that include localized facial pain close to your ear, or pain when pressing or pulling upon your ear; a severe itching sensation inside the ear canal, as well as outside; a pronounced and sudden lack of hearing. It's also more likely to be swimmer's ear if the pain is in only one ear. A greenish-yellow discharge coming from the opening of the ear is another symptom that may accompany swimmer's ear. It's very important to see a doctor immediately if you notice the signs of swimmer's ear in your child, particularly if discharge is present. Though rare, swimmer's ear that is left untreated may spread to the cartilage and bone of the ear canal. A pain reliever is one way to ease the pain. Applying a warm cloth or heating pad may also be beneficial. In more serious cases, extremely potent antibiotic-steroid treatment will possibly be warranted to deal with the symptoms. The steroids reduce the inflammation and provide itch relief while the antibiotic destroys the fungus or bacteria that have infected the ear. In extreme enlargements of the infected area, the attending physician may insert a soft device into the ear for the purpose of making sure that the medicine hits the target and gets the job done. You will probably have to take the drops for between 5 and 10 days, and you must not swim or otherwise introduce water into the ear during this time. It will be necessary to follow-up with your child's doctor when treatment is concluded, and contact your physician right away if there is any dizziness, stiff neck, continued drainage or dizziness, or if pain in the ear continues for more than two days after treatment begins.
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