The painful, itchy feeling in your ear after swimming or showering might be more than just trapped water–it could be swimmer’s ear. This common condition, medically known as otitis externa, affects the outer ear canal and requires prompt treatment to prevent worsening symptoms and potential complications. Dr. Michael Cohen formed a specialized team that provides expert diagnosis and effective treatment for patients throughout Long Island suffering from swimmer’s ear, helping them find relief and return to their normal activities quickly.
Dr Michael Cohen, Jordan and staff are absolutely amazing. I took my daughter to her pediatrician 4 times in a month to be told it was a cold. After going to see Dr Cohen & Jordan I found out she had Mono. He is professional, kind and funny. I highly recommend this office. Thank you for taking care of my daughter, I wouldn’t trust her with anyone.
Our Expertise and Philosophy
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Michael Cohen has led the development of a Long Island ENT practice specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of ear conditions, including swimmer’s ear. As a board-certified otolaryngologist and Top Doctor recognized by NY Top Docs for 25 consecutive years, he guides a team that understands the importance of both treating acute infections and helping patients prevent future episodes.
At our Long Island ENT practice, we believe in a comprehensive approach to swimmer’s ear that addresses both immediate symptoms and underlying causes. Our philosophy emphasizes proper diagnosis, targeted treatment, and preventive education to help patients avoid recurrent infections. For patients with chronic or recurrent swimmer’s ear, we offer specialized care that identifies and addresses contributing factors for long-term relief.
What Is Swimmer’s Ear?
Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the outer ear canal–the tube that runs from the outside of the ear to the eardrum. Unlike middle ear infections (otitis media) that occur behind the eardrum, swimmer’s ear affects the skin lining the ear canal itself. The condition earned its name because it commonly occurs after water exposure, particularly swimming, though it can develop from various causes.
When water remains in the ear canal, it creates a moist environment ideal for bacterial or fungal growth. The most common bacterial culprits include Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, though fungal infections can also occur. Once these microorganisms establish an infection, they cause inflammation and irritation of the ear canal lining.
Swimmer’s ear affects approximately 10% of people at some point in their lives, with higher incidence rates during summer months and in humid climates. While it can affect people of all ages, it’s particularly common in children and adolescents who spend considerable time swimming. Adults who participate in water activities, use hearing aids, or have certain skin conditions like eczema are also at increased risk.
The condition typically develops in stages, beginning with mild symptoms that can progress to more severe manifestations if left untreated:
- Mild (Early Stage): Itching inside the ear canal, slight redness, and mild discomfort that worsens when pulling the outer ear
- Moderate (Progressive Stage): Increased itching and pain, more pronounced redness and swelling, partial ear canal blockage with discharge, and possible temporary hearing reduction
- Advanced (Severe Stage): Severe pain potentially radiating to the face or neck, complete ear canal blockage, visible redness and swelling extending to the outer ear, fever, and significant hearing loss
Common Concerns and Reasons Patients Seek Treatment for Swimmer’s Ear
Patients typically seek treatment for swimmer’s ear due to several troubling symptoms and concerns:
Ear Pain and Discomfort
The hallmark symptom of swimmer’s ear is pain, which can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain that worsens when touching or moving the outer ear. This pain can significantly impact daily activities, sleep quality, and overall well-being.
Itching and Irritation
Persistent, sometimes intense itching inside the ear canal drives many patients to seek relief. Unfortunately, scratching often worsens the condition by creating small breaks in the skin that can lead to further infection.
Decreased Hearing
As inflammation and fluid accumulation progress, hearing may become muffled or reduced, causing communication difficulties and concerns about permanent hearing damage if left untreated.
Discharge from the Ear
The presence of fluid draining from the ear, which may be clear, yellowish, or contain pus, often prompts patients to seek medical attention due to concerns about infection severity.
Fullness or Pressure Sensation
Many patients report a feeling of blockage or pressure in the affected ear, which can be both physically uncomfortable and psychologically distressing.
Recurrent Episodes
Patients who experience repeated infections often seek specialized care to identify underlying causes and develop effective prevention strategies to break the cycle of recurrence.
Concerns About Complications
Without proper treatment, swimmer’s ear can lead to more serious issues like spreading infection, chronic ear problems, or temporary hearing loss, motivating patients to seek prompt care when symptoms develop.
Customized Approach to Swimmer’s Ear Treatment
At Integrative Ear, Nose & Throat, swimmer’s ear is treated with a comprehensive approach guided by Dr. Michael Cohen and delivered by a team of experienced ENT providers. The care plan is personalized for each patient to relieve symptoms, resolve the infection, and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Thorough Microscopic Examination
Using specialized microscopic visualization techniques, our ENT specialist carefully examines the ear canal and eardrum to confirm the diagnosis, assess the extent of infection, and identify any contributing factors such as foreign bodies, excessive cerumen, or skin conditions that may predispose to infection.
Professional Ear Cleaning
For many cases of swimmer’s ear, professional cleaning of the ear canal is an essential first step in treatment. A trained provider gently and meticulously removes discharge, debris, and excessive wax that might harbor bacteria and prevent ear drops from reaching affected areas effectively.
Targeted Medication Therapy
Ear drops are selected based on each patient’s specific condition. These may include:
- Antibiotics to eliminate bacterial infection
- Antifungals when fungal causes are suspected
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling
- Acidifying solutions to restore the ear canal’s natural protective environment
- Pain-relieving components for symptom relief
Addressing Underlying Factors
For patients with recurrent swimmer’s ear, our specialists investigate potential contributing factors such as allergies, dermatologic conditions like eczema or psoriasis, anatomical variations, or habits that may damage the ear canal’s protective lining.
Preventive Education
A crucial component of our approach involves educating patients about effective prevention strategies tailored to their specific lifestyle and risk factors, empowering them to break the cycle of recurrent infections.
Follow-Up Care
For severe or persistent cases, our providers schedule appropriate follow-up visits to monitor treatment response and ensure complete resolution of the infection.
Is Treatment Right for You?
Treatment for swimmer’s ear is recommended for anyone experiencing symptoms of outer ear infection. You should consider seeking treatment if:
- You experience ear pain that increases when touching or pulling the outer ear
- Your ear feels full or blocked, with possible hearing reduction
- You notice discharge from your ear canal
- You have persistent itching in the ear canal
- You’ve recently been swimming or had water exposure followed by ear discomfort
- You have a history of recurrent outer ear infections
Early treatment is particularly important for:
- Children who may not clearly communicate their symptoms
- Individuals with diabetes or compromised immune systems who face higher risks of complications
- Patients experiencing severe pain or fever
- Those with symptoms that have persisted for more than a few days or are worsening
During your consultation, our ENT specialists will thoroughly evaluate your specific situation to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
What to Expect During Your Evaluation
Your initial visit for swimmer’s ear typically includes:
Comprehensive Medical History
Our ENT provider will discuss your symptoms, their onset and progression, recent water exposure, previous ear infections, attempted home treatments, and relevant medical conditions that might affect treatment decisions.
Detailed Ear Examination
Using specialized equipment, including otoscopy and microscopic visualization, your ear canal and eardrum will be examined to confirm the diagnosis of swimmer’s ear and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as middle ear infections.
Discharge Evaluation
If your ear is actively draining, a sample may be collected for culture in cases of severe, persistent, or recurrent infections to identify specific pathogens and guide targeted antibiotic therapy.
Hearing Assessment
When appropriate and if ear canal swelling permits, a hearing evaluation may be conducted to determine if the infection has temporarily affected your hearing ability.
Treatment Planning
Based on the examination findings, our specialists will develop a personalized treatment plan and explain each component, including proper administration of ear drops and any activity restrictions during healing.
What to Expect During Swimmer’s Ear Treatment
Treatment for swimmer’s ear typically follows this progression:
Initial Treatment Phase
Professional Ear Canal Cleaning
Our trained specialist carefully removes debris, discharge, and excess wax to optimize treatment effectiveness, utilizing microscopic visualization for precision and patient comfort.
Prescription Ear Drops
You’ll typically receive antibiotic ear drops, often combined with anti-inflammatory medications, administered several times daily for 7-10 days with proper application instructions.
Pain Management
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be recommended to manage discomfort and reduce inflammation during the initial healing phase.
Water Precautions
During treatment, you’ll need to keep your ear completely dry, with specific protective measures for showering and bathing to prevent complications and promote healing.
Follow-Up and Recovery
- Most patients experience significant pain relief within 24-48 hours of starting treatment.
- Complete resolution of symptoms typically occurs within 7-10 days with appropriate treatment.
- For severe cases or those involving an ear wick, a follow-up visit may be scheduled to remove the wick and confirm proper healing.
- Once the infection clears, any temporary hearing loss typically resolves completely.
Preventive Measures
Following successful treatment, a member of our team will recommend preventive strategies that may include:
- Ear drying techniques after water exposure
- Appropriate use of preventive drops for regular swimmers
- Proper ear protection during water activities
- Guidelines for safe ear cleaning practices
Frequently Asked Questions About Swimmer’s Ear
Yes, while swimming is a common cause, swimmer’s ear can develop from any situation that introduces moisture or damages the ear canal lining. This includes excessive sweating, humid environments, using cotton swabs or other objects in the ear, and certain skin conditions like eczema.
Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) affects the outer ear canal, while a regular ear infection (otitis media) occurs in the middle ear space behind the eardrum. They have different causes, symptoms, and treatments. A key distinguishing feature is that pain from swimmer’s ear typically worsens when touching or pulling the outer ear.
Mild cases might improve with over-the-counter ear drops designed for swimmer’s ear. However, most cases benefit from professional treatment to ensure proper diagnosis and appropriate medication. Severe or persistent cases always require medical attention to prevent complications.
Prevention strategies include thoroughly drying ears after swimming or bathing, using ear drops designed to prevent swimmer’s ear after water exposure, avoiding insertion of objects into the ear canal, and using properly fitted earplugs when swimming.
No, swimmer’s ear is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. However, swimming in contaminated water increases the risk of developing the infection.
You should avoid swimming and water activities until treatment is complete and symptoms have resolved, typically 7-10 days. We will provide specific guidance based on your individual case and healing progress.
Why Choose Integrative Ear, Nose & Throat for Swimmer’s Ear Treatment
Led by Dr. Michael Cohen, our practice brings decades of experience in managing external ear infections across all age groups. Patients benefit from a coordinated care model that combines clinical expertise, patient education, and preventive strategies.
- Board-certified otolaryngologist with over 25 years of experience treating ear conditions
- Expertise in microscopic examination and cleaning techniques for optimal treatment outcomes
- Comprehensive approach that addresses both acute symptoms and prevention of recurrence
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities to differentiate swimmer’s ear from other ear conditions
- Experience treating patients of all ages, from children to seniors
- Recognition as a Top Doctor by NY Top Docs for 25 consecutive years
- Current affiliation with prestigious institutions including NYU Langone Health and Northwell Health
Patients value the thoughtful care and clinical expertise offered by Dr. Cohen and his team – an approach that not only resolves the immediate infection but also includes education and preventive strategies to help avoid future episodes.
Expert Swimmer’s Ear Treatment Throughout Nassau and Suffolk County
Don’t let the pain and discomfort of swimmer’s ear keep you from enjoying your daily activities or your time in the water. Dr. Cohen and his team provide specialized care for patients throughout Long Island, offering prompt relief from symptoms and effective strategies to prevent recurrence.
With convenient locations in Syosset and Port Jefferson Station, expert treatment for swimmer’s ear is accessible to residents throughout Nassau and Suffolk County. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward healthier ears.