Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal. Doctors call it
external otitis. Symptoms of swimmer's ear include: - Itching of
the ear canal - Redness of the skin of the outer ear or ear
canal - Drainage from the ear canal (often yellow, green or
possibly cheesy) - Pain when touching the ear or moving the jaw
while chewing or talking - Decreased hearing from debris that
clogs the ear canal Swimmer's ear can be caused by bacteria or
fungi. It is called swimmer's ear because it is associated with
frequent swimming. Long and frequent exposure to water makes the
skin of the ear canal more susceptible to infection. Warm and
humid conditions can do the same thing. That's why swimmer's ear
is most common in the summer. Sometimes swimmer's ear can be
treated by clearing the ear canal of debris and keeping it dry.
However, doctors usually prescribe ear drops to promote quicker
healing. The most commonly used drops combine medications to
fight the infection and calm the inflammation. Many products
combine an antibiot