Swimmer’s Ear: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Canada

Swimmer’s ear is a painful infection of the outer ear canal that affects thousands of Canadians every summer. It occurs when water becomes trapped in the ear after swimming, creating an ideal environment for bacteria or fungi to multiply. Children and teenagers who frequent pools, lakes, and ocean beaches are especially vulnerable, but adults can develop this condition too.

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear and Who Is at Risk?

Also known as otitis externa, swimmer’s ear symptoms include ear pain, itching, redness, and sometimes discharge from the ear canal. Many Canadians visit their family doctor or a walk-in clinic each year for ear infections, making it one of the most common summer health concerns across the country. In this article, you will learn what causes this condition, what signs to watch for, and how it is effectively treated.

What Is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s Ear Symptoms: Severity Levels and What to Expect

Symptom	Description	Severity Level
Ear canal itching	Mild itching inside the ear canal, often the first sign of swimmer’s ear developing	Mild – Early Stage
Ear pain and tenderness	Pain that worsens when the outer ear is tugged or when pressure is applied to the tragus; may radiate to jaw or neck	Moderate – Mid Stage
Fluid drainage	Clear or whitish, odourless fluid draining from the ear; may become yellow or green if bacterial infection progresses	Moderate – Mid Stage
Swelling and redness	Visible redness and swelling of the outer ear and ear canal; skin may appear scaly or flaky	Moderate to Severe
Muffled hearing or fullness	Partial hearing loss or a feeling of blocked ears due to swelling and debris narrowing the ear canal	Moderate to Severe
Fever and severe pain	High fever, intense pain, and significant swelling spreading beyond the ear canal; may indicate malignant otitis externa requiring urgent medical care	Severe – Seek Immediate Care

Swimmer’s ear — known medically as otitis externa — is an infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal. The ear canal is the tube that runs from your outer ear to your eardrum. This condition is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from another person.

It is most common in children, but it can affect anyone. People with eczema or excess earwax are also at higher risk. According to Health Canada, ear infections are among the most common reasons Canadians visit their family doctor or a walk-in clinic.

What Causes Swimmer’s Ear?

Your ear canal has a natural defence system. The skin lining the canal is slightly acidic, which helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing. However, certain things can break down this protective barrier.

When that barrier is damaged or weakened, bacteria or fungi can invade the outer ear and cause infection. The most common bacteria responsible are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In rarer cases, a fungal infection — called otomycosis — is the cause.

Common Triggers of Swimmer’s Ear

• Water exposure: Swimming or showering can trap moisture in the ear canal. This changes the canal’s natural acidity and allows bacteria or fungi to grow. This is why swimmer’s ear is far more common in summer months.
• Cotton swabs: Using cotton swabs to clean your ears can scratch the delicate lining of the ear canal. This removes the protective barrier and increases infection risk.
• Earplugs and hearing aids: Wearing earplugs, hearing aids, or earbuds for long periods can irritate the ear canal and raise the risk of infection.
• Hair and skin products: Shampoos, hair dye, and other chemicals can enter the ear canal. These products can irritate the skin and reduce its natural protection.
• Skin conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions can cause inflammation in the ear canal, making infection more likely.

Signs and Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear

The main symptom of swimmer’s ear is pain inside or around the ear. This pain can range from mild to quite severe. It often gets worse when you pull on the outer ear or press on the small flap of cartilage at the ear’s opening.

Some people notice an itching feeling in the ear canal before the pain starts. This is often an early warning sign. It is important to pay attention to these early signals so you can act quickly.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

• Redness and swelling of the outer ear
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Swollen and tender lymph nodes near the ear or in the neck
• Discharge from the ear — this may be clear, milky, or pus-like
• Temporary hearing loss if the ear canal swells shut or fills with discharge
• Pain when chewing in some cases

Swimmer’s ear symptoms are usually limited to one ear. Furthermore, unlike a middle ear infection, swimmer’s ear does not cause fever in most cases. However, if you develop a fever or the pain becomes severe, seek medical attention right away.

How Is Swimmer’s Ear Treated?

Most cases of swimmer’s ear respond well to treatment. Your family doctor or a walk-in clinic can diagnose the condition and recommend the right treatment plan. The main goals of treatment are to relieve pain, clear the infection, and protect the ear canal while it heals.

Treatment typically involves the following steps:

• Gently cleaning the ear canal to remove discharge or debris
• Applying medicated ear drops directly into the canal
• Managing pain with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed
• Avoiding further irritation while the ear heals

Ear Drops for Swimmer’s Ear

Prescription ear drops are the most common and effective treatment. These drops usually combine several types of medicine to fight the infection from multiple angles. Your doctor may prescribe drops that contain one or more of the following:

• Acidifying agents: These restore the ear canal’s natural acidity. Bacteria that cause swimmer’s ear cannot survive in a highly acidic environment.
• Antiseptics: These work by disrupting the harmful bacteria in the ear canal.
• Anti-inflammatory agents: These reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• Antibiotics: These kill the bacteria causing the infection.

Research shows that combining acidifying agents and anti-inflammatory agents works better than using acidifying agents alone. Some common prescription ear drop combinations include neomycin/polymyxin/hydrocortisone, tobramycin/dexamethasone, and ciprofloxacin/hydrocortisone.

If the ear canal is very swollen, your doctor may place a small medicated wick inside the canal. This wick absorbs the ear drops and holds the medicine close to the infected tissue so it can work more effectively.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are not usually needed for swimmer’s ear. However, your doctor may prescribe them if the infection is severe or has spread beyond the ear canal. People with diabetes or a weakened immune system may also need oral or intravenous antibiotics. Always follow your doctor’s advice about antibiotic use.

For more information on ear infections and treatment options, visit the Mayo Clinic’s guide to swimmer’s ear.

How to Prevent Swimmer’s Ear

The good news is that swimmer’s ear is largely preventable. A few simple habits can protect your ears and reduce your risk significantly.

• Dry your ears after swimming or showering: Tilt your head to each side to let water drain out. You can also gently dry your outer ear with a soft towel.
• Use a hair dryer on low heat: Hold it at arm’s length from your ear to help evaporate any remaining moisture in the canal.
• Avoid cotton swabs: Do not insert anything into your ear canal to clean it. The ear is self-cleaning, and swabs often push wax deeper or cause small cuts.
• Use earplugs when swimming: Custom-fitted or foam earplugs can help keep water out of the ear canal.
• Skip swimming in polluted water: Bacteria levels in lakes, rivers, or poorly maintained pools can be high. Choose clean, well-maintained swimming areas.
• Protect your ears from hair products: Place a cotton ball gently at the ear opening when applying hairspray or hair dye. Remove it right away when done.

You can also find helpful prevention tips on Healthline’s swimmer’s ear prevention page.

When to See a Doctor

Many mild cases of swimmer’s ear improve within a few days with basic care. However, you should see your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic if your symptoms do not improve — or if they get worse. Most provincial health plans in Canada cover visits to a family doctor or walk-in clinic for conditions like swimmer’s ear.

Seek medical attention promptly if you notice any of the following:

• Severe ear pain that does not improve
• Fever or chills
• Significant hearing loss
• Swelling or redness spreading beyond the ear
• Symptoms that do not improve after two or three days of home care
• You have diabetes or a weakened immune system — these groups are at higher risk of serious complications

A doctor can confirm whether you have swimmer’s ear or a different type of ear infection, such as a middle ear infection. These two conditions are treated differently, so getting the right diagnosis matters. As always, speak with a healthcare professional before starting any treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Swimmer’s Ear

Key Takeaways

• Swimmer’s ear is a painful infection of the outer ear canal, most often caused by trapped water.
• It is most common in summer and affects children, teenagers, and frequent swimmers of all ages.
• Symptoms include ear pain, itching, discharge, swelling, and temporary hearing loss.
• Treatment usually involves prescription ear drops that combine antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and acidifying agents.
• You can prevent swimmer’s ear by drying your ears after swimming, avoiding cotton swabs, and using earplugs.
• See your family doctor or a walk-in clinic if symptoms are severe, persistent, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
• Most provincial health plans in Canada cover medical visits for ear infections — do not hesitate to seek care.