Most cases of otitis externa (also known as swimmer’s ear) clear up within a few days. However, some people can have long-term infections that last for months or years.
The most common symptom of an outer ear infection is redness and swelling in the ear canal. The cause of the infection is usually bacteria or fungus. But some people may also have a virus or allergy that causes an external ear infection.
Other symptoms of otitis externa include pain, a feeling that something is stuck in the ear or discharge from the ear canal. Sometimes, pus-filled abscesses can form in the ear, which needs to be treated by a doctor.
If you have a persistent earache that doesn’t get better, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. This will allow them to prescribe the right treatment.
Your GP will examine your ears and test them to find out what’s wrong. They might also take a sample of the fluid in your ear and send it to a lab to find out which germ is causing your infection.
A GP will then prescribe antibiotics, if needed. They might also clean your ear and place a little sponge or a strip of gauze soaked in ear drop fluid in your ear canal to help the medication reach your ears more effectively.
They may also give you a medication that you have to swallow. This is called antibiotic liquid or pills, and it might help you feel better faster.
The GP might also suggest you take some over-the-counter ear drops or sprays, as well as painkillers like paracetamol. You should also try to avoid swimming too much if you have an ear infection.
In severe cases, the GP might remove the affected eardrum to try to treat the infection. This can be uncomfortable, but it’s a necessary step to get rid of the infection and prevent complications.
You should also try not to scratch or rub the ear canal as this can make the problem worse. This can damage the cerumen – the ear’s natural protection from infection.
Some ear infections are painful and can be debilitating. This is especially true if they’re caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
There’s also a risk of otitis media with effusion or chronic otitis media with effusion, which are long-term ear infections that can affect your hearing and keep coming back. They often occur in children and can be difficult to treat.
These infections are also more likely to cause problems with your child’s development. They can affect their speech and language skills and they may be more prone to becoming anxious or having panic attacks.
A complication of otitis externa is malignant otitis externa, which can spread from the ear to the surrounding bones. This can be serious and life-threatening if it doesn’t get treated quickly.
In most cases, otitis externa will clear up on its own with the right treatment. If you’re worried about an earache that’s not getting better, see your GP or get the Ada app for a symptom assessment.
