Swimmers Ear Symptoms
The first symptom of infection is that the ear will feel full, and it may itch. Next, the ear canal will swell and flow ears will follow. At this stage the ear will be very painful, especially with the movement of the outer ear. Ear canal can swell shut, and the side of the face may swell. Finally, the glands of the neck may swell, making it difficult or painful to open the jaw. People with swimmer's ear may experience reduced hearing capacity in the affected ear.
Definition of Chronic Swimmer Ear
Chronic swimmer's ear (long term) may be caused by bacterial infections, skin conditions (eczema or seborrhea), fungus (Aspergillosis), chronic irritation (such as from the use of hearing aid, revenue cotton bud, etc.), allergy, chronic drainage of middle ear disease, tumors (rare), or he may just nervous habit of frequently scratching the ear. In some patients, more than one factor may be involved. For example, a patient with eczema may subsequently develop black ear flow. This suggests a fungal infection that accompanies it.
Standard treatments and preventive measures, as noted below, is often all that is needed to treat even a case of chronic external otitis. However, in people with diabetes or those with immune systems are depressed, chronic swimmer's ear can be a serious disease (malignant external otitis). Malignant external otitis is a misnomer (a term that is not suitable) because he was not a tumor or cancer, but rather an aggressive bacterial infections (especially Pseudomonas) from the base of the skull.
Swimmers Ear Treatment
Regardless of the cause, moisture and irritation will prolong the journey of the matter. For these reasons, the ear should be kept dry. When bathing or swimming use earplugs, or use cotton with Vaseline on the outside.
Scratching the inner ear or using a cotton swab should be avoided. This will only aggravate the irritated skin, and in most situations will worsen the condition. In fact, the inner ear scratching will only make more itchy ears, and what medications are prescribed will be ineffective. Hearing aid must be paid as much as possible until the swelling and stop spending dirt.
The most common treatment consists of ear drops containing antibiotics or antibiotics with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Oral antibiotics may also be needed in some cases. It should be used as directed. In some situations, "wick" will need to be placed in the ear canal to make it open and serve as channels for ear drops. Periodically, and sometimes often, suctioning of the ear canal to help keep it open, removing debris, and reduce the amounts of bacteria.
Prevent Swimmers Ear
1. Reduce exposure to water. If you are prone to infection, it is advisable that you use earplugs when you shower or swim. Drugs swimmer's ear drops or drops of alcohol (Swim-EAR ®) used in the ears after exposure to the water followed by drying the ears with a hair dryer held at arm length distance will often help to maintain the ears free of moisture.
2. Do not include tools, scratching, or make use of a cotton bud in the ears.
3. Try to keep the ears free of wax. This may require visits to the doctor to get your ears cleaned.
4. If you already have an ear infection, or if you have a hole in your eardrum, or if you have had ear surgery or ear tubes, first consult your doctor before swimming and before you use any type of ear drops.
5. Prevention solution ear drops can be made cheaply and easily by mixing equal parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar (mixed 50:50). This solution will increase the rate of evaporation of water in the ear canal and has antibacterial properties. Using this solution to rinse the ear before and after exposure to water can serve as a precaution against infection.
6. Ear Mineral oil droplets can be used to protect the ear from water when a dry crusty skin condition present.
