Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa) What is swimmer's ear? Swimmer's
ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the ear
canal, the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum.
This condition is called swimmer's ear, because it commonly
occurs in people who have been swimming. But other people can
get it too. What causes swimmer's ear? You can get swimmer's ear
when bacteria or fungus grows in your ear canal. This happens
when water, sand, or other small debris irritates the delicate
skin in the ear canal. Other things that can irritate the ear
canal include hearing aids, lots of ear cleaning, and eczema of
the ear canal. Swimmer's ear is more likely if you have a very
narrow or hairy ear canal; live in a warm, humid climate; have
little or no earwax; have lots of ear infections; or have eczema
or dry skin. If you have had swimmer's ear in the past, you are
more likely to get it again. What are the symptoms? Swimmer's
ear can be very painful. The pain can get worse when you touch
the earlobe o