What is an external ear infection?

External ear infection, also sometimes called the ear of a swimmer, is a problem that includes inflammation and itching of the skin of the outer ear canal. Bacteria cause most cases of outer ear infection. Symptoms of the ear swimmers range from mild to heavy, but common include swelling, redness and fluid discharge. Cleaning and using a prescription ear drop usually helps to clean the symptoms of ears infection. Tips such as maintaining dry ears and avoiding inserting objects into the ear help protect from external ears. When water, bacteria or other elements reach the skin that lines the outer ear, the risk of external ear infection increases. Ear channels have the ability to clean the ears and prevent infections through the accumulation of wax, but sometimes ears can be impressed by overproduction of wax or moisture from sweat and swimming. Extra moisture gives bacteria easy access to outer ear because it is already dark and warm environments. Other causes of ear infection include skin allergy such as eczema, outer ear injury and exposureHair products or anything that captures moisture in the outer ear.

Symptoms of outer ear infection usually begin as mild, but may proceed if a person ignores the problem and does not receive treatment. Early symptoms of external ears are itching along the outer part of the skin outside the channel canal, followed by some redness of irritation. Any trapped water or moisture can also drain from the ear. Other discomfort follows, if the early symptoms do not treat, accompanied by difficult hearing, fullness and disgusting discharge of pus from the ear. Immediately see a doctor for serious infections such as fever, pain, swelling and peeling of the outer ears.

In the treatment of this condition, the doctor usually examines the infected ear to remove any discharge and then prescribe antibiotics ear drops. Oral antibiotics can also be prescribed to treat serious symptoms of external ears together withibuprofen to alleviate pain. In general, ear infections should disappear in more than 10 days when the appropriate treatment followed.

Preventive measures help to avoid external ears infection. Medical experts recommend keeping their ears as dry as possible, especially after bathing or swimming. Restricting swimming or other water sports also helps to prevent external ears. A person should never put a cotton swab or other object into his ear because it may cause injury that leads to infection. Cotton balls placed gently in the ears can offer a solution for protection of ears from water, hair spray or other substances that can cause irritation or infections.